Andrew Birch was 23 and lived in Collinsville, Illinois. He died on February 23, 2014, after a single gunshot to the head while he and 27-year-old Katelyn R. Stapleton were sitting together on a couch in his home. Both had been handling a gun when it discharged; Andrew was taken to Anderson Hospital, where he died.

The Collinsville Police Department investigated. Stapleton was indicted on involuntary manslaughter, pleaded guilty in a deal with the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, and received two years probation and ten months in jail with credit for time served. Family members spoke in court, and Andrew’s mother, Dawn Birch, delivered a victim impact statement.

What can readers who knew Andrew or who have information about the incident add to the record?