Steven Simpson is driving back to Birmingham today. He hopes that when he gets there, his 11-year-old son has recovered enough from a gunshot wound to the face for doctors to perform reconstructive surgery on Wednesday.

Simpson’s son, Steven Starr Fitts, was injured in what police are calling an accidental shooting Thursday evening.

However Simpson – who claims to have witnessed the shooting – says it was no accident. His says the boy’s uncle, Selma Police Officer Reginald “Wayne” Fitts, shot his son on purpose.

“Accidents don’t happen like that,” Simpson said.

Police say they are investigating the incident, and Officer Fitts is on paid administrative leave until the investigation is concluded.

Interim Chief Robert Jacobs said he couldn’t comment on the specifics of the investigation, but he was sure an officer would take Simpson’s statement before the investigation was complete.

“It just wouldn’t be prudent for me to comment on any of the particulars,” Jacobs said. “Once the investigation is complete we’ll be more than happy to inform the public of what we find.”

Steven and his father were riding home Thursday night when they stopped at Steven’s grandmother’s home to pick up some clothes, Simpson said.

“(Steven) had been there earlier that afternoon,” Simpson said. “They knew we were coming to the house.”

Simpson said his son walked to the back door of the home and knocked. The back light, Simpson said, was off. Simpson said, officer Fitts opened the door and shot the boy in the face.

“I was screaming ‘Oh Lord, you just shot my son,'” Simpson said.

According to Simpson, the officer stared at his nephew for a moment before reacting.

“He looked crazy after he shot him,” Simpson said. “He still had the gun in his hand when he went back to turn the light on he still had the gun in his hand.”

Simpson said Steven started screaming soon after being shot.

“He said, ‘Uncle Wayne, you done shot me,'” Simpson said.

Immediately, Simpson said, he grabbed the boy and put him in the car.

“I told (R. Fitts) to dial 911,” he said. “He jumped in the car with me to take him to the emergency room. He told me when I got (there) he was sorry he shot my son.”

Soon after being transported to the Vaughan Regional Medical Center ER, Steven was rushed to the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham for treatment.

Simpson said Steven is in stable condition, but was heavily sedated to help him heal.

“The bullet tore his mouth up inside, knocked all his teeth out,” Simpson said. “He’s got a hole in his tongue. The bullet came out his neck.”

Simpson, who played football with officer Fitts at Selma High School, said he doesn’t know of any reason why Fitts would shoot his son.

“They (police) need to tell me why he did it,” he said.

He hopes the city will file charges against the officer, whom he feels should be punished.

Jacobs said the department and the District Attorney’s office would file charges if necessary.

If its determined a crime has in fact been committed,” Jacobs said, “Obviously the DA’s office and our office will discuss charges. I assure you it will be investigated very thoroughly.”

The Times-Journal was unable to contact the boy’s mother or officer Fitts by press time.

Simpson made it clear he wouldn’t be satisfied until charges were filed against his former teammate.

“He shot my son, I want something to happen to him,” Simpson said. “I hate him now, I don’t want to be around him. He shot my son, I can’t help but to hate him.”