INDIANAPOLIS — Police are investigating after a 2-year-old boy died following an "accidental, self-inflicted" shooting late Tuesday on the near northeast side of Indianapolis.
The shooting was reported just before midnight Feb. 27 in the 3700 block of North Dearborn Street, which is near East 38th Street and North Sherman Drive.
An IMPD spokesperson said officers investigating a report of a shooting found a toddler with an apparent gunshot wound.
The toddler was initially reported to be in critical condition. On Feb. 28, IMPD said the toddler had died and that the shooting had been ruled accidental and self-inflicted.
The next day, the Marion County Coroner's Office identified the boy as Jarel Miles.
An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
"A kid getting ahold of a gun, 100% preventable. I mean, 100% preventable when we've seen this played out over and over again. Now, we have a child who is not going to be able to live out the American dream, because of irresponsible gun ownership," IMPD Chief, Chris Bailey said. "My heart goes out to the family and I know — I don't know, but I can only imagine— the pain and grief that they feel, but we have to do better as a community. These are 100% preventable, and we can't let this happen again."
Morris Timothy King lives a few doors down and said he was frustrated when he heard what happened.
"That gun wasn't put in a safe place, and that's what happens. It's tragic," King said. "I've got several guns, but when my daughter and my grandkids come over, she's going to say, 'Is the house safe?' Yeah, the house is safe. They're all put up. I know they're coming."
Anyone with additional information on the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.