Garrick Baker,an intoxicated Westfield, Indiana man shot and killed his stepson, age 18, who was sleeping on a couch at the time of the incident.  According to the report, the man was handling a gun in his living room while “presumed to be intoxicated.”  It went off.

Baker was arrested and charged with criminal recklessness.  Investigators do not believe that the shooting was intentional.

In Madison, Wisconsin, a 15-year old boy was arrested and imprisoned after shooting his 11-year old sister, Carolanah Schenk. The boy was originally charged with reckless homicide, a charge that would have led to trial as an adult.   The charge was later reduced to “negligent handling of a dangerous weapon,”  which will result in a trial in juvenile court. It is unclear how he came into possession of the gun that was used in the incident. 

The children’s parents released a statement thanking those who had expressed their support and saying “our attention is now being focused on coordinating our daughter’s funeral while at the same time praying that our son is represented and supported.”

Source:

Lawrence Andrea, “Westfield Man Shoots, Kills Stepson After Handling Gun While Drunk, Police Say,” IndyStar.com (September 28, 2021).

Chris Rickert, “15-year-old Arrested in Shooting Death of his 11-year-old Sister in Fitchburg; Family ‘Devastated’,”  Wisconsin State Journal (October 1, 2021).