AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The family of a man shot and killed in Bastrop County earlier this year gathered Monday at the Bastrop County courthouse to demand justice and announced they filed a civil lawsuit against the mother of the teenager accused in his death.
On Sept. 16, the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office responded to the deadly shooting in western Bastrop County and said Steven Allan Smith, 41, died from a gunshot wound. A 13-year-old boy was accused of being involved in the shooting.
The Bastrop County Sheriff's Office previously said it could not provide many details about the teen because he was a juvenile. BCSO said he was "released to juvenile authorities."
The family is still mourning and said they are desperate for more answers.
Victims' rights attorney Chris Tolbert said, currently, the teen has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and not murder.
Tolbert said during the briefing the lawsuit against the teen's mother is based off a prevention law that can hold a parent accountable for being negligent or irresponsible by allowing a minor to get ahold of a firearm. As a whole, Smith's family is suing the mother for negligence, as well as wrongful death, Tolbert said.
Smith's aunt said although the family is still in the midst of their grief, their work is just beginning.
"We continue to deal with the loss of life, you know, that missing piece you can't replace," Windy Hill said during the briefing. "So for many of us, we're struggling with that grief. But at the same time, we know our voices must be raised to ensure there is justice for Steven."
In October, the Austin NAACP joined growing calls for a thorough investigation into Smith's death.
When KXAN spoke to the Bastrop County District Attorney then, he could not go into specifics about the case since the investigation was still active.
