My name is Lorie, and I'm reaching out for support for my beloved granddaughter Cierra and her two small children during this challenging time. On September 12th, around 2:00 PM, her fiancé suffered a devastating accident in our home that resulted in a tragic gunshot wound to the head. This heartbreaking event has left our family shattered, especially since their children were present—along with his mother and brother—when it happened.

Cierra & Deontae have been together for well over five years now, and have a precious little boy who is just 2 ½ years old, and a baby girl who is only 2 months old. Their father was their main source of support, and now they are facing an unimaginable loss.

We are all devastated, and any help or support during this time would mean the world to us.

On that tragic day, he was excitedly preparing to practice target shooting in the backyard with his brother—a passion he loved dearly. Cierra would occasionally join him, and the family would often come together for these sessions, always prioritizing safety. We still struggle to understand how this could have happened; there shouldn’t have been any bullets in the gun, and the safety should have been on.

As they went out through the front door that day, Deontae was laughing and joking, just as he always did. Cierra was tidying up some spilled water when she heard a sudden loud boom. She turned to see Deontae fall to the floor, and in that instant, her world turned upside down. It all feels so surreal to her, and we are all wrestling with the weight of this tragedy.

Deontae's 2 1/2 year-old son, DeAndre, when he hears a bang outside, he will say boom- He then goes to look at the back window where they target practiced, or if he hears a car come down the road, he will then run to the front door, then to back door and he’ll say daddy my heart hurts for him.

Now his daughter, Andrea, who is 3 months now and saying "dada" :{

Also, the money will be used for the babies' clothing, shoes, and coats, since it is getting cold. It will be used on a little Christmas. The Van really needs tires on it for taking the babies to doctors and stores, they are too slick for this winter.

Thank you for any kindness you can extend to our family during this time of profound grief.