Mason David Lee Alford, 15, died on Monday, January 3, 2022, after being struck by a single shot to the back at a residence on Road 406 in the Linwood/Dixon area of Mississippi. Mason, who was homeschooled and of the Baptist faith, was with three other youths when the single-barrel 20-gauge shotgun with an exposed hammer discharged while a 12-year-old was handling it in a room containing a gun safe.

The other teenagers placed Mason in a vehicle and drove to seek help; emergency medical services met them near Williams Brothers, but the coroner later pronounced Mason dead. The Neshoba County Sheriff’s Office investigated and ruled the shooting an accidental death. Sheriff Eric Clark said the probe would continue to determine how the discharge occurred, including whether the youths were examining the firearm or engaged in show and tell. No arrests or criminal charges were filed.

Does anyone have information about that day or knew Mason and can share what he meant to the community?