FHS 7th grader died in tragic gun accident

Twelve-year-old Jade “Bubba” Jones was remembered Friday as a young man who was “all boy,” but loved by his classmates and teachers.

Jade, 12, died tragically Thursday when a 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun his 14-year-old friend was handling discharged. The accident occurred at a residence of County Road 41 between Geneva and Bellwood in Geneva County.

Geneva County Sheriff Tony Helms told The Dothan Eagle Friday that it appears the 14-year-old retrieved a shotgun and “reacted in a reckless manner,” leading to the gun discharging and striking the 12-year-old.

The 14-year-old was charged with manslaughter.

Helms said there did not appear to be an argument of any kind before the incident.

Suzanne Chambers Hunt said her son Rylee and Jade were like brothers.

“He was so sweet, kind and well-mannered,” she said. “He always told me, ‘I love you, Mom.’ I couldn’t have asked for a better child when he came over.

“My heart is broken to pieces,” she said. “I will miss that sweet face so much.”

Florala High School principal Max Whittaker said Jade was a “sweet young man who was really loved.”

Whittaker said the seventh grader was respectful and polite. His older brother also is an FHS student.

School is out for the Christmas holiday, but Whittaker said he had already spoken with the school’s counselor, who will be available when students return to school if students need to talk about their loss.

Jade was the son of Jeremy and Crystal Jones of Florala, and the grandson of Billy and Lisa Jones.

In October, the family’s home in the Red Oak community burned, in what was believed to be arson that occurred in conjunction with a robbery.

A GoFundMe account has been established to help raise money for Jade’s funeral expenses. It can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/expenses-for-burial.

Evans Funeral Home is handling arrangements, which were expected to be finalized Saturday morning.