ALBANY, GA -- Thomas and Waujal Lunsford told us they’re deeply saddened and confused by the events surrounding the death of their daughter.

Mr. Lunsford said he had a gunlock installed on the hunting rifle used in the shooting but admitted he hadn’t tested it since last year.

The Lunsfords say their 13-year-old daughter, Leja, enjoyed running track and was always smiling.

"She’s gonna’ try to make a bad situation into a good situation," said Thomas Lunsford.

He acknowledges that his son as a slow learner but he has no idea why he would play with a gun.

"We done been hunting before," said Lunsford. "We play with BB guns and stuff. We try to teach them all the things about weapons. We really just don’t know what happened. Out of all the years I had firearms in my house, our kids never messed with them."

Albany Police Chief John Proctor says the shooting is a tragedy that could have been avoided.

"If you’re going to own a weapon, make sure you safeguard it both for your use and for anyone else that’s inhabiting in the home," said Proctor.

The Lunsfords say their children never had any serious arguments or fights. They describe their son as gentle and good-natured and are convinced that what happened inside their home was an accident.

"We try to do all we can to protect our kids and stuff but we also try to do what we can to protect our family," said Lunsford.

"Like I say, God has his ways," said Waujal Lunsford.

The Lunsfords told me their son, Val, is staying with other family members for the time being and doesn’t seem to fully realize what he’s done.