Uncle of the 11-year shot in North St. Louis County has more about the lost life

St. Louis (First Alert 4) -The family mourns the loss of the loss of an 11-year-old boy who was fired on Monday evening in North St. Louis County.

The police said Marhaun Futrell Jr. played with weapons out of his house when a firearm was accidentally released and a ball hit the victim and killed him.

The uncle Harlan Futrell from Marhaun Jr.

“My mind has still not processed it to recognize that he is no longer here with us,” said Harlan Futrell.

The 11-year-old is described as a great child who loved his family deeply.

“When he went in the room, his smile, he was very calm and modest, but his smile brightened the room. He was a hard worker. He loved his family. He loved his mother. He and his father were so,” said Harlan futrell.

His uncle said Marhaun Jr. was an incredible football player who traveled the country to play.

“He is already one of the top -if not number one, two TOP -RUNNING backs in his age group in the country,” said Harlan Futrell.

The father, Marhaun A. Futrell Sr., was charged with children's risk.

Harlan said Marhaun Sr. was at work when he got the call about what had happened and was arrested without seeing his son.

“He is being taken away at the moment. He is being taken off from his heart. He has taken away everything he loved. It is difficult for him. He can't even mourn,” said Harlan Futrell.

The police said the father had 12 invited weapons in the house, where children could easily access them.

The child's uncle asks other gun owners to have talks about weapon security with their children.

“Get weapons locks and set them up where children cannot get to them,” said Harlan Futrell.

Kaitlyn Vogel is a coordinator for injuries to Cardinal Glennon and said they go to the community weekly to offer free weapon locks and resources.

“Weapons in general, gunshot wounds, are the most common cause of death for pediatric patients who can be avoided,” said Vogel.

Vogel said weekly that they go to the community to output free weapons locks, be it at events, schools or from door to door in districts where they treated victims.

In 2025, Cardinal Glennon has given up around 3,000 free weapons locks so far.

“Children are smart. Children can find weapons, even if they are on the upper shelf. The most important thing is to lock these weapons and keep the key separately so that they do not unlock this weapon. The other part is to lock up their ammunition separately so that they do not charge this weapon,” said Vogel.

Everyone can go to any SSM emergency intake and get gun locks free of charge without asking questions.

While the Futrell family mourns Marhaun Jr., they also mourn the future that he could have had.

“He was loved. We lost a good one. A great child. He would have been great for society. Great person. Great person,” said Harlan Futrell.

There is also a gofundme that supports the Futrell family with the unexpected funeral costs for the boy.

Marhaun Sr. is in the St. Louis County prison. He has a hearing to reduce bonds for Wednesday.

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