The Weld County Sheriff's Office has charged the boy's 18-year-old brother with criminally negligent homicide.
A source close to the investigation tells 9NEWS the gun 18-year-old Jordan Limas claimed was his is a stolen .22 caliber handgun. The source says that gun was sitting out on a table where 11-year-old Andre Limas found it.
The Weld County Sheriff's Office says Andre found the gun, picked it up and started heading towards the door.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Jordan saw Andre with the stolen gun and told him "it's not a toy," then struggled to get it back. The gun reportedly went off during the struggle, hitting Andre in the chest. He died at the hospital of his injuries.
Andre's dad, David Limas and his aunt Laurie say he was a sweet and loving little boy. They describe Andre as a typical 11-year-old who loved video games and watching football.
"He would give me the hardest time when I was watching the Broncos and I'd do the same to him when the Cowboys played," David said. "He loved football. Football is a tradition in our family."
Andre's aunt Laurie says he was loved by everyone and he didn't have a mean bone in his body. She says he was a good student and even though he was still young, he had a great sense of humor. His family says Andre loved his family and had a close relationship with his older brothers, especially Jordan.
"He looked up to his older brothers," Laurie said. "He wanted to be just like them. He spent a lot of time with Jordan and he was always looking out for him, but he also idolized Stevie because he's in the army."
The family didn't want to go into detail about what happened on Friday night, but they say it was an accident and they don't have any hard feelings against their son Jordan.
David Limas says the family is focused on helping Jordan get out of jail and they say they will stand by him.
Jordan's bond is set at $30,000.
The family says a fund has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank under "The Andre Limas Foundation." A family spokesperson says the proceeds will go toward funeral expenses.
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