Emily Longnecker/Eyewitness News
Hamilton County - Investigators say a terrible accident led to the death of a Hamilton County teenager.
Carson Wallace, 16, died after he was shot in his family's home in the 8300 block of East 216th Street in Cicero.
Sheriff's deputies say Wallace and his younger brother were both inside the garage of their Cicero home when Wallace was shot in the chest. Police say Carson's 14-year-old brother accidentally shot and killed him.
Hamilton County Sheriff's Maj. Mark Bowen says Carson Wallace was chasing his younger brother with snowballs Tuesday when the 14-year-old ran into the garage of their home near Cicero and grabbed the shotgun that the two had planned to use on a hunting trip.
Police say the gun went off when the boy jokingly pointed it at his older brother, hitting him in the chest. Carson later died at an Indianapolis hospital.
Bowen says the shooting "was clearly an accident" and he doesn't expect any charges to be filed against the boy.
"We have no reason to believe that there's anything of any criminal nature here, just a very, very tragic accident," said Hamilton County Sheriff Doug Carter.
"I saw the boys out playing on their quad runner and I figured one of them got hurt playing on the quad," said neighbor Jerry Wiles.
Investigators say the accident involved a 20-gauge shotgun. According to neighbors, the young men were familiar with guns and firearm safety.
"The boys hunt all the time. They've always used guns. They know how to handle guns," said Wiles.
Investigators say Wallace's mother, who is a surgical nurse, tried to help until paramedics arrived at the scene.
"Officers were on the scene within about six minutes of the call," said Deputy Dunbar.
"She did the best she could as well as any mother would do for any child," added Sheriff Carter. "Gallant effort to try and save his life."
Doctors rushed the teen into surgery at Methodist Hospital, but it wasn't enough to save his life.
Investigators say Wallace's parents were at Methodist Hospital when they learned of their son's death. The teen's younger brother remained with investigators in Hamilton County, trying to figure out how the shooting happened.
"Moms and dads that lose kids don't live anymore. They just exist and this family won't be any different than that. They're having a very difficult time," said Sheriff Carter.
