Family of teenager killed by Athens police speaks of “tragedy” on Father’s Day weekend

DECATUR, Alabama (WHNT) — Tragedy struck for a Decatur family over Father’s Day weekend. Their 15-year-old son was shot and killed by an Athens police officer during a family gathering.

However, the teenager’s parents say there is much more to this story.

“We want the community to know that what happened on Saturday was not our dear Gabriel,” said Adam McNutt, father of 15-year-old Gabriel McNutt.

McNutt told News 19 that his son Gabriel suffered from multiple illnesses and neurological damage that led to his actions.

While McNutt is still processing everything, he said, “Our son is no longer suffering.”

15-year-old Gabriel McNutt was the eldest child of his parents Adam and Leslie McNutt.

His mother Leslie said what happened on Saturday was shocking. “I was just shocked and couldn’t believe it had come to this,” she said.

The family said Gabriel had been through a lot in his short 15 years of life.

When he was just a few months old, he was hospitalized for accidentally swallowing a button battery. His family later set up a Facebook page to raise awareness about the dangers of button batteries and to share his story. The family’s story was even featured in a post by Animal Planet.

Shortly after Gabriel turned four, he suffered an AVM (arteriovenous malformation) and had to undergo brain surgery. His family called it a miracle that he survived and recovered.

Gabriel also suffered epileptic seizures and lasting neurological damage.

“When you look at it, it affects behavior and impulsivity,” said his mother, Leslie, who said it can cause mental illness.

Since the beginning of the year, the McNutts have been working to provide Gabriel with the best possible psychiatric care.

“We did everything we could to encourage Gabriel and make him understand that we will not give up on him,” his father Adam told News 19.

The McNutts say they wish there were better mental health resources in the state.

“We went to four facilities and it wasn’t until the last one that he actually got the help he needed,” Adam said.

Gabriel came home from his last treatment about five weeks ago, just in time to celebrate his 15th birthday and Mother’s Day with his family. His parents say he has made great progress and they are glad they had this time to create memories together as a family.

On Saturday, the family gathered at Gabriel’s grandparents’ home in Athens to celebrate Father’s Day and a family birthday.

His mother remembers him having fun all morning.

“You know, early in the morning, Gabriel was the Gabriel we all know and love,” she said. “Then something turned around and his eyes glazed over.”

The family said he suddenly became violent and behaved differently than usual.

“He just tried to attack us,” Adam said. “We just said, ‘Gabriel, wake up, come back to us, please stop,'” he said. “He just wasn’t there.”

The Athens police were then called to the house to help de-escalate the situation.

However, Gabriel found a gun in a closet.

“I knew at that moment that it just wasn’t going to be good,” Adam told News 19.

According to Athens police, Gabriel fired one shot and officers returned fire, hitting Gabriel.

Adam talked about what it felt like to hold his son in his arms while they tried to save him from his injury.

Gabriel died later that day.

Although the family is still coming to terms with this tragic loss, they say they do not blame the officers for Gabriel’s death.

His father Adam said he hoped the police officers “don’t carry anything like that with them.”

“We did everything we could. It’s nobody’s fault,” he said. “It’s a tragedy.”

His parents say Gabriel was a devout believer and they know he is no longer in pain.

“He made his peace with Jesus,” his father said.

The family wanted to thank the community for all the support. A memorial service and funeral are planned for later this week.