Five-year-old Maxton Layne Hughes died on Sunday, February 2, 2020, after a firearm inside the family vehicle was discovered and discharged. The child, the son of a Huntsville police officer, was found gravely injured by a parent and transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators conducted a thorough probe and early statements indicated authorities believed the shooting was a tragic, accidental, self-inflicted injury. No charges were expected in connection with the boy’s death as the inquiry focused on establishing how the firearm came to be accessible in the vehicle and the circumstances of the shooting.

If anyone in the Harvest area recalls seeing the family vehicle that day or has information about how the firearm was stored, please share what is known with investigators.