At approximately 9:30 PM (Alabama Time) on Sunday, Cherokee County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a call on County Road 865 in Gaylesville requesting emergency aid, in regard to an accidental discharge of a gun resulting in injuries.  County Road 865 is located between Gaylesville and Little River Canyon off of Highway 35 about eight miles south of Menlo.

Deputies and investigators arrived at the residence to find both parents hurt and an eleven year old child fatally injured. According to information in a news release from Sheriff Jeff Shaver, the father was apparently cleaning a handgun when it discharged – with the bullet going through his hand, then striking the eleven year old who was sitting on the couch, and then striking the mother in the elbow.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Jeremy Deaton – while the parents were transported for medical treatment for their injuries.

The case remains under investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Unit.

Officers from DeKalb County and first responders were on the scene as well.