Police report: Father arrested on neglect charges in shooting death of 5-year-old son

Update:This story was updated May 18 with more information from court records. Police previously indicated the boy was a toddler. The child was 5 years old, according to a preliminary affidavit. The Marion County Coroner's Office on Tuesday identified him as Hakiem Scott.

The father of a 5-year-old has been charged with neglect after an early investigation indicated the boy died of an accidental gunshot wound Friday, May 12.

Jahbar Scott, 25, was preliminarily charged with neglect of a dependent causing death in the shooting of his 5-year-old son. The Marion County Prosecutor's Office formally charged Scott with cocaine possession on top of his neglect charge.

Indianapolis police said the shooting was reported shortly before 9:30 p.m. An early investigation indicated a young child had received at least one gunshot wound in what may have been an accidental, self-inflicted shooting. It occurred in the 1300 block of North Kealing Avenue on the near eastside.

The boy, identified by the coroner's office as Hakiem Scott, was taken to Riley Hospital for Children in critical condition and later pronounced dead.

Police in a preliminary probable cause affidavit said Jahbar Scott told investigators that he and his two sons were on the couch watching TV when he placed his 9mm firearm on the side of the couch to use the bathroom. While inside the restroom, he heard a single gunshot.

Jahbar Scott told police he found the 5-year-old on the couch and his 2-year-old standing in front of him. During later interviews with a detective, the children's mother told police she was on the phone when she heard a gunshot. When she ran to the living room, she saw the 2-year-old holding the gun before setting it down, court records said.

Cocaine was also found inside the home, police said. The boy's mother tested positive for the drug, the affidavit said.

Hakiem Scott was the second child to die of gunshot wounds in Indianapolis in less than a month. Billy Ray Mack II, 6, died in an accidental, self-inflicted shooting on the city's northeast side April 18.

Major Mike Leepper urged gun owners to ensure their weapons are securely stored, saying the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department can provide gun locks and information on gun safety.