Family members are grieving the loss of a young boy who was shot and killed Saturday at a home on Maple Street in Morgan City.
The 11-year-old, according to family, was at a sleepover at the home on February 12 when he was shot by another boy.
"One of the boys picked up a shotgun, loaded it with shells, and pointed it at Van, my god child's son, and pulled the trigger and hit him in the back of the head," said Fran Larpentur.
Family says first responders were unsuccessful in trying to revive the 11-year-old, identified as Van Hunt.
A 14-year-old was arrested in connection with the shooting and booked with Second Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Illegal Use of a Dangerous Instrumentality.
Larpentur said Van was living with his dad but asked to spend the weekend at a family member's home.
"He begged his mom to go to the little guy's house and she didn't want," she said. "She had finally given in and let him go. Now, she's hurt that she did let the child go and all of this came out. It's devastation and he lost his life."
Now, Van's family is seeking help with burial costs. Larpenteur said after she got the call about the tragic incident, she wanted to help the family as much as she could.
"I didn't know what other way I could help her so I ended up asking some of the family members on her side if I could go and set up a GoFund account," she said. "I was given permission, so I set it up and it's doing well. It just needs a little bit more funds and she'll be well taken care of."
The family is asking for $10,000 in funds to pay for funeral and memorial costs for Hunt. As of Wednesday morning, almost $8,000 had been raised for the family.
Donations can also be made in Van's name to the MK Dixon Funeral Home in Baldwin where funeral arrangements are being made.
The gofundme page can be viewed here
Hunt was a 6th-grade student at Franklin Jr High in Franklin before moving to Pesson Elementary School in New Iberia.
