The mother of a Jefferson County middle-schooler killed in a weekend shooting is asking for help to bury her young son.

An’Terrius Hill, 12, died from a gunshot wound early Saturday. He was a seventh grader at Erwin Middle School where he was a standout on the basketball team.

“Our students and staff are doing the best they can to cope with the loss of another student,’’ said Principal Angela Bush.

“An’Terrius was a talented young man who was a star on our basketball team,’’ Bush said. “He will be missed greatly. Please keep our school community and his family in your prayers.”

Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched just after midnight Saturday to a residence in the 300 block of Oxford Acres Circle. When they arrived, they found An’Terrius had sustained a gunshot wound, said Lt. Joni Money.

Deputies attempted life-saving measures, and the child was transported to Children’s Hospital, but medical personnel were unable to revive him.

An’Terrius was pronounced dead at 12:46 a.m.

Authorities have not released any details concerning the fatal shooting.

“We are speaking with multiple witnesses, including another male juvenile who was thought to be present at the time of the shooting,’’ Money said.

“The death of a child is always so difficult to understand,’’ she said. “At this time, we believe it is prudent to remind all gun owners to secure your weapons in a safe location, away from children, those who may act recklessly with a weapon or individuals who may use it to commit a crime.

“This is a sad time for the JEFCOED family. While we will wait for authorities to conclude their investigation into the circumstances, it is still a tragedy regardless,” said Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin. “My prayers are with the student’s family, friends, teachers, and administrators as they work to come to terms with this loss. Additional counselors are on campus today to provide support to students and staff.”

Anterrius’s mother, Lisa Thomas, established the GoFundMe. Donations can be made here.