An 11-year-old boy, Donald Dewayne ’DJ’ Simms, died on February 15, 2015, after a firearm discharged at his home in Gaylesville, Alabama. The child was a student at Gaylesville Elementary School and was described as someone who loved all sports. The shooting also injured his parents, Donald Dewayne Simms, Sr. and Lisa Simms; the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the circumstances and determined the shooting was accidental.

Because the death was ruled accidental, no criminal charges were filed and no suspects were developed as part of a criminal case. The Simms family later filed a civil lawsuit reportedly naming a family friend who had been at the home; details of the claims and the lawsuit’s outcome have not been widely publicized.

If anyone knew DJ, his family, or was present in Gaylesville on February 15, 2015, can you share information that might clarify what happened that day?