Family of teen killed by Athens police talks 'tragedy' of Father's Day weekend

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

However, the teen's parents say there is much more to the story.

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

McNutt told News 19 that his son Gabriel suffered from several health conditions and neurological damage that led to his actions.

While McNutt is still processing everything, he said, “Our son is no longer in pain. »

Gabriel McNutt, 15, was the eldest child of his parents, Adam and Leslie McNutt.

His mother, Leslie, said what happened Saturday was shocking. “I was just in a state of shock and disbelief that 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 after accidentally swallowing a button battery. His family then created a Facebook page to raise awareness about the danger of button batteries and share his story. The family's story was even featured in a segment of Animal Planet.

Shortly after Gabriel turned four, he suffered an AVM, or arteriovenous malformation, and required brain surgery. His family said it was a miracle that he survived this and recovered.

Gabriel also suffered seizures and lingering neurological damage.

“If you look at it, it affects behavior and impulsivity,” said his mother, Leslie. She said it could cause mental illness.

Since the beginning of the year, the McNutts have worked to provide Gabriel with the best mental health care.

“We did everything we could to encourage Gabriel to let him know we're not going to 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 was only at the last one that he actually got the help he needed,” Adam said.

Gabriel returned from his last treatment about five weeks ago. It was just in time to celebrate her 15th birthday and Mother's Day with her family. His parents say he has shown great signs of improvement and they are happy to have had this time to create memories as a family.

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

His mother remembers him having fun all morning.

“Gabriel, you know, earlier this morning was exactly the Gabriel that we all knew and loved,” she said. “Then something flipped and there was just a veil over his eyes.”

The family said he suddenly became violent and acted unlike himself.

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

That's when Athens police were called to the scene to help defuse the situation.

However, Gabriel found a gun in a closet.

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

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

Adam shared what it felt like to hold his son in his arms as they tried to save him from his injury.

Gabriel died later that day.

While the family is still coming to terms with this tragic loss, they say they do not hold the police responsible for Gabriel's death.

His father, Adam, said he hoped the police “wouldn’t wear that.”

“We did everything we could, it’s no one’s fault,” he said. “It's a tragedy.”

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

“He is at peace with Jesus,” said his father.

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