Indiana Man Arrested After 6-Year-Old Boy Accidentally Shoots His 4-year-old Sister with Unsecured Firearm

A 25-year-old man from Indiana finds himself in police custody following a tragic incident involving a firearm left unattended in a house filled with young children. This lapse in safety resulted in a heart-wrenching accident, where a 6-year-old boy unintentionally picked up the unsecured handgun and, tragically, fatally shot his 4-year-old sister.

The individual in question, Terrelle S. Jackson, was apprehended earlier this month and is facing a serious charge: neglect of a dependent causing death, categorized as a level 1 felony. 

The incident took place in July and claimed the life of young Deor Neita. Authorities made this announcement as they continue their investigation.

According to a press release issued by the Cumberland Metropolitan Police Department, the incident unfolded on July 5 when a 911 call reported a possible child shot at a residence in Cumberland, Indiana, specifically in the 600 block of Woodlark Drive. 

In less than three minutes, first responders rushed to the scene, guided by the anguished cries from the second floor of the house.

Upon entering the premises, law enforcement discovered Deor with a gunshot wound to the head. Despite the immediate attempts of emergency crews to save her life, Deor tragically succumbed to her injury and passed away on the scene.

The subsequent investigation led to the questioning of several witnesses, including young children under the age of 6, who were interviewed by forensic child specialists. 

Through these interviews, it became apparent that four children, all under six years old, had come across a firearm located in an upstairs bedroom. Astonishingly, these children seemed to have prior knowledge of the firearm's presence and its owner. 

The firearm was loaded with an extended magazine and lacked a gun lock or safety mechanism. 

Tragically, the four children began playing with the firearm in a separate upstairs bedroom, resulting in a devastating accident where the six-year-old unintentionally discharged the weapon, striking his four-year-old sister, Deor.

It is crucial to emphasize that investigators do not believe the 6-year-old had any intention to harm his sister. Their understanding of the potential danger posed by the firearm was limited.

Cumberland Police Chief Suzanne Woodland, in an interview with the Indianapolis Star, revealed that the children's great-great-grandmother was supervising them while their mother was at work, which was a routine occurrence. 

The elderly caregiver had been cleaning the room but was unaware of the firearm's presence.

Chief Woodland expressed her deep sorrow, noting that these were still young children and that the tragedy was truly heartbreaking. She emphasized that this incident should serve as a wake-up call to all gun owners regarding the importance of safe firearm storage.

As the investigation unfolded, detectives established that Jackson was the owner of the firearm involved in this tragic accident. At the time of the incident, Jackson was residing in the house, and he and the victim's mother were parents to one of the children present.

Police revealed that Jackson was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm at the time of the incident. His alleged failure to properly secure a loaded firearm in a home with six small children played a direct role in the tragic death of Deor Neita.

In response to these findings, authorities issued a warrant for Jackson's arrest on August 15. He was subsequently taken into custody on September 8 and processed into the Marion County Jail.

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