Dean James Wise was 15 when he was killed on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, in Samson, Alabama, during a mass shooting that left ten people dead. The attack began at his family’s home; Dean, his mother Tracy Michelle Wise, and his grandfather James Alfred White were shot on the grandfather’s porch. The gunman, Michael McLendon, used two AR-15 rifles, then continued shooting around town and later died by suicide after a police chase. Six other people were reported injured.

Dean was his mother’s only son and hunted with his father, Murray Wise, from a young age; family accounts note their shared interest in Alabama football and that the weekend had been close to his parents’ 18th wedding anniversary and the start of turkey season. Reports mention McLendon had been rejected by the Marines for not meeting physical standards and had an interest in guns and combat training.

If anyone knew Dean, his family, or has information about that day in Samson, please share what you remember.