Quenten Charles Liford, a 19-year-old male from Burkburnett, Texas, tragically passed away on December 23, 2021, due to a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. The incident occurred in the 600 block of Cottonwood Street in Burkburnett. Quenten was with his friend, 21-year-old Matthew Tenney, at the time of the accident. According to Tenney, they were examining a new firearm that Quenten had recently purchased.
Tenney claimed he thought the gun was unloaded and, while pretending to draw it from a holster, he accidentally pulled the trigger, resulting in Quenten's death.
Following the incident, Burkburnett Police Officers arrived at the scene and detained Tenney. Initially, Tenney was charged with manslaughter, which could have carried a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. However, on March 19, 2024, Tenney pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of discharge of a firearm/deadly conduct. On April 1, 2024, 89th District Judge Charles Barnard sentenced Tenney to a five-year suspended sentence and placed him on community supervision.
The case drew significant attention in the local community, with many expressing sympathy for Quenten's family and calling for greater awareness of gun safety. Quenten was remembered as a hardworking, sweet, and loving young man who brought joy to those around him. His family honored him with a public graveside ceremony at the Burkburnett Memorial Cemetery and requested that people teach themselves and their children about gun safety to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Quenten's death serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and the devastating consequences that can result from even a momentary lapse in judgment.
