3-Year-Old King Penro Killed in Apparent Accidental Shooting in Merrillville, Indiana

Accident – death – Obituary News : Toddler Fatally Shot in Tragic Accident at Indiana Home

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (WLS) — In a heartbreaking incident, a 3-year-old boy lost his life on Monday evening in Merrillville, Indiana, after being shot in what appears to be an accidental shooting, according to authorities.

The Merrillville Police Department received a distress call around 5:45 p.m., rushing to a residence located in the 3100 block of West 79th Place. Upon arrival, medics immediately attended to the young victim, providing emergency medical care inside an ambulance before swiftly transporting him to Methodist Hospital Southlake Campus for further treatment. Sadly, despite the medical professionals’ best efforts, the child succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The boy has been identified as King Penro, as confirmed by the police on Tuesday.

Emotions ran high at the scene, with officers having to restrain a family member due to their overwhelming grief. The family, surrounded by loved ones, gathered at the hospital on Monday night, devastated by the tragic loss of their beloved young boy. Ron Brewer, husband of the child’s daycare provider, fondly described King Penro as a bright and intelligent child, radiating joy and possessing a remarkable personality. Brewer expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “Today is just a sad day.”

The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear, leaving investigators puzzled. While authorities have classified the incident as accidental, they have refrained from providing further details regarding the tragic event. Merrillville Police Cmdr. Matthew Vasel assured the public that their detectives are diligently working on the case, conducting a comprehensive investigation to ascertain all relevant facts. Vasel emphasized the importance of ensuring accuracy in such cases, stating, “Our detectives were called in. They’re still working on stuff right now. They began their investigation, as we do any kind of death investigation, follow through with any, you know, make sure everything is correct. As of now, it appears it’s an accidental shooting.”

During the course of their investigation, the police discovered a firearm at the residence, indicating that a single shot had been fired. However, no individuals have been taken into custody, and there are no active suspects being pursued by law enforcement at this time.

In a plea for support, the Merrillville Police Department requested the public’s prayers for the grieving family. They also encouraged anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. Detective E. Meyer can be contacted at Emeyer@merrillville.in.gov or via phone at 219-769-3531 ext 354. Anonymous tips can be submitted to investigations@merrillville.in.gov.

As the investigation continues, further details regarding the tragic incident are yet to emerge. The community mourns the loss of a young life, a stark reminder of the importance of gun safety and the devastating consequences that can result from accidents involving firearms.

Note: The video included above is from a previous report and is not directly related to this incident..