Gavin Freeman was 18 when he was fatally shot at a sleepover in the family home in Fort Towson, Oklahoma, on November 11, 2016. A 13-year-old friend who was visiting and handling a .38 caliber handgun owned by Gavin’s parents discharged the weapon and struck Gavin. The Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office responded and the shooting was initially reported as an accident.

In the days after the shooting the situation changed: at the direction of the Choctaw County District Attorney’s office the 13-year-old who fired the shot was taken into custody. The family and town were left dealing with the loss and the legal aftermath that followed.

If anyone attended the gathering or has information about where the handgun was kept that night, please come forward.