This is my 27-year-old son, Michael Lewis Grossie Jr. He has two beautiful, very young children, family, extended family, friends, and a community that loves and misses him daily.

On April 13, 2024, my son became the accidental victim of a murder-suicide in the parking lot of our local country store in Boyce, Louisiana, known to the natives as the Cotile area.

Mike didn't know he was parked in the wrong place at the wrong time. He pulled up on a domestic confrontation between a 17-year-old boy and his mother. The young man was choking his mom out until she fell to the ground. As she's falling, he lets go, runs to the passenger side of their car, goes to the glove box, and pulls out a gun. He goes back to his mom, who's now standing and pleading with him. He shoots, and she drops down at the same time, then he shoots himself. He thought he shot his mom, but he didn't; he shot my son, and nobody knew for 7 minutes. My son had just gotten off from work and was on his way to help a friend. He made a pit stop, never got out of the truck, and was actually texting when this happened.

I'm putting my son's story out to the world for many reasons. But right now, my most important reason is this: a headstone for my son. Yes, he had a really good job with great benefits, but he left his life and accidental death insurance to his children. They are minors, so the insurance goes into a trust for them until they become of age.

This took a lot of nerve for me to do, almost a year fighting with myself about it. Multiple reasons why, but mostly because of fear of letting my family down by this not working. I pray you all prove me wrong and strengthen my faith more and more.