Deputies identify father, son in Harvest murder-suicide

HARVEST, Ala. (WAFF) - Law enforcement agencies responded to a home on the 200 block of Blue Creek Drive in Harvest Friday morning.

The call initially came in as a welfare check. This is now a death investigation involving an apparent murder-suicide.

Officials with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office confirm 37-year-old Brian Buening and 10-year-old Tate Buening as the two victims who died from gunshot wounds. Officials say they were father and son. According to deputies, the offender was the father.

“I can’t imagine what the family is going through, I can’t imagine what that community back there is going through to lose a young man like that and you know, I want to ask you know to pray for the community, pray for the family that this is effecting, I know I will be. It’s a tough situation and I just can’t imagine what they’re going through as a family right now,” said Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner.

Officials say a family member made the welfare request.

HEMSI, Harvest Fire & Rescue, and Madison County Sheriff’s Office officials responded to the scene.

Madison County Chief Deputy Stacy Bates says although the incident is confined to the home where the tragedy occurred, deputies are working hard to find out what happened, and why.

”At the end of the day, not just for us but, we want to give that family closure too. We want them to be able to know as many of the details of how it happened and why it happened so that they can get some closure at some point because their life is changed forever,” said Bates.

Endeavor Elementary School released this statement following the tragic death of Tate Buening:

Many of you heard the news that spread throughout our community yesterday of a murder-suicide. The names were just released and I can now share with our Endeavor family the most recent post from the Madison Sheriff’s Dept.

Tate Buening attended Endeavor from kindergarten through 3rd grade. Even though, he had moved to Athens City Schools, he will always be an Endeavor Cub.

Tate was a bright light. I have described him as simply sunshine coming down the hallway. Other staff members have stated that he always had a hug for them and was kind to everyone. He always exemplified our Endeavor expectations of being kind, safe, and responsible.

Our hearts are broken. Tate had such a bright future and we are saddened that it was taken from him at the age of 10 years old. Please remember his mother Kayla in your prayers.

We also know that there will be students who are hurting and missing their friend. Please contact us if your child will need that extra support as they process this tragedy. We will ensure they have that.

There is a fund, started by Kasey Edwards, if any of you wish to contribute. Info is shared on the Endeavor PTA page and I will link it here in the comments.

- Jenny Shelton McAlister, Principal of Endeavor Elementary

A GoFundMe has been set up in Tate’s memory.

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