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1-year-old boy shot dead by his 5-year-old sibling who found a handgun inside their Indiana apartment

The manner of death is still under investigation pending the completion of the police investigation and toxicology reports

LAFAYETTE, INDIANA: The death of a 16-month-old boy in Lafayette, Indiana, is being investigated by the police. The child was shot by his 5-year-old sibling who found a gun inside an apartment.

The autopsy revealed that the infant's cause of death was a single gunshot wound. However, the manner of death is still under investigation pending the completion of the police investigation and toxicology reports.

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'No arrests have been made so far'

"The manner of death, however, is pending completion of the police investigation and toxicology reports," said Tippecanoe County Coroner Carrie Costello, as per a report in NBC News

No arrests have been made so far, but the police are continuing their investigation. The case will be sent to the prosecutor's office for review to determine if charges will be filed.

'I don't believe any life-saving measures were taken'

The incident was reported to the police through a 911 call which was made by someone from outside of the apartment. When the police arrived, they found one adult and two children inside the apartment, and no life-saving measures had been taken. "The infant's 5-year-old sibling got hold of a handgun inside the apartment and shot Johnson," according to a Lafayette police news release published late Tuesday. "When I arrived on the scene, I don't believe any life-saving measures were taken," said Lafayette police Lt Matt Gard as per the report.

Lafayette is situated about 60 miles north of Indianapolis. According to data analyzed by the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety, 63 unintentional shootings by children have resulted in 25 deaths and 39 injuries so far this year in the United States. Last year, there were 353 accidental shootings resulting in 156 deaths and 212 injuries.

'I just don’t understand how the parents aren’t charged with at least negligence'

Meanwhile, the news has shocked the internet which is blaming gun laws for all the mess and is calling for measures to regulate. "It's the guns, Wayne," a user wrote simply referring to the guns. Another user wrote, "I just don’t understand how the parents aren’t charged with at least negligence, in these situations. I understand that they have lost a child but they are actually the reason that it happened."

'These gun owners need to be arrested'

One more user noted, "permit or license is not required to possess or carry a handgun, shotgun, or rifle in Indiana after July 1, 2022. Handguns, shotguns, and rifles are allowed in the vehicles of all persons 18 years of age and older who have not been deemed an “improper person” by the state." One more said, "These gun owners need to be arrested." Another called for an arrest by saying, "Confiscate the guns and the surviving child. Then prosecute the parents. If we wanted this to stop, we could make it stop."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.