MCMS student killed in accident
by MCL staff writer

Gunner Moore was doing one of his favorite things.

A Miller County rising seventh grader was killed in a dirt bike accident Tuesday afternoon, June 5, 2007.

The accident happened at Southern Raceway, a dirt bike track on Highway 27 south, in Decatur County, resulting in the death of 12-year-old Dalton Gunner Moore.

According to reports, after a rain shower had subsided, Moore was riding his dirt bike on the track. Decatur County Sheriff's Major Wendell Cofer stated it is believed he was thrown from the bike when he attempted to make a jump. It was reported that no one actually saw him land or being thrown from the bike.

Sheriff's deputies from Bainbridge arrived on the scene and began performing CPR on the victim. When the EMS arrived on the scene, they took over.

He was rushed to Bainbridge Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Gunner had just completed sixth grade at Miller County Middle School. He was a member of the Miller County High School Band, where he played the drums. He attended Mother's Home Free Will Baptist Church and was a member of the American Motorcycle Association and the Shane Lusk Motorcross School. Gunner's passion was racing dirt bikes.

"Even though we knew riding dirt bikes was his pride and joy, Gunner was still an excellent student. He worked hard at his grades and always had a smile on his face. Everyone liked Gunner, and Gunner liked everyone, regardless of boy, girl, black or white," stated Mrs. Marilyn Brackin, one of Gunner's sixth grade teachers.

"If all students were like this one, we would have no problems in our schools. Gunner was one of the most well-mannered kids that I've ever been around," commented Shane Rathel, school resource officer. "He would talk to me about racing his dirt bike and how he enjoyed it so much. He was just an all-around model student, and this is such a tragic thing to happen to such a good kid," Rathel stated.

Gunner was laid to rest Friday, June 8, at Mother's Home Free Will Baptist Church. A complete obituary follows on page seven.