INDIANAPOLIS — Family tells 13News a 4-year-old boy who was accidentally shot Aug. 18 on Indianapolis' near northeast side has died.
"I'm in a nightmare that I can't get out of," said Gianna Powell, mother to 4-year-old Corione Butts Jr.
Gianan Powell and Corion Butts Sr. are dealing with a parent's worst nightmare. On Saturday, their son, Corione Jr., died after being in the hospital since the previous Sunday.
Around 12:30 p.m. Aug. 18, officers responded to a report of the shooting in the 3600 block of North Dearborn Street, near North Keystone Avenue. When officers arrived on scene, they found Corione Jr. and immediately took him to the hospital.
Police are calling it an accidental shooting.
Corione Jr.'s family said he was recently diagnosed with autism and was a very smart boy.
"Lining up everything, and making a line. I always try to figure it out. And I guess it was just something he'd do. He loved to teach himself, like, he'll get on his tablet or something or phone, and like, look up all the dinosaurs," Butts said.
"We just want justice for our son. Just take accountability, really, that's all it is to it," Butts said.
His uncle, Jeremiah Ransom, said he was just 8 years old when his nephew was born, a title he didn't take lightly.
"I used to brag about it a lot. I used to go to school saying 'I had a nephew,'" Ransom said.
Corione Jr. was a child who loved to run around — and his uncle was often right behind him.
"He was goofy. He liked to play around a lot. He really liked dinosaurs," Ransom said.
Family and friends released all kinds of balloons Sunday evening to honor the 4-year-old, even lighting candles in the shape of a dinosaur.
"We just leave it in God's hands, and just know that you always gonna be with us," Butts said.
Corione Jr.'s family said their faith is going to keep them together.
13News reached out to IMPD on if any arrests have been made in the case and has not yet heard back.