Indiana Man Charged in Accidental Shooting Death of a Child

Jason L. Forshee

Local news reports

Felony charges have been filed against a local man in the accidental shooting that killed a Greensburg teen. 

Jason L. Forshee, 34, was arrested and charged Friday with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Class A felony, and dangerous control of a child, a Class C felony. 

Craig A. Roberts, 13, was accidentally shot at his home on North Carver Street on the afternoon of March 11 when a sibling picked up an M4 assault rifle that authorities allege Forshee had left unattended. 

The sibling pointed the rifle at Craig in the living room of the home. The weapon discharged, and a bullet struck the teen in the chest. Craig died at Decatur County Memorial Hospital that evening. 

Court documents state that Forshee told police he was cleaning the weapon and had removed the magazine. He was unaware a bullet was in the chamber. 

Forshee told police he could not explain how the bullet was in the chamber. He was out of the room approximately 10 to 15 seconds, he said. 

A short time before the shooting, Forshee had shown the rifle to a plumber at the home. The 6-year-old asked to see the weapon, and Forshee handed him the gun, according to court documents. 

A child visiting the home shared by Amy Roberts, Jason Forshee, Craig and his two siblings March 11 told police that the 6-year-old had pointed the same rifle at her and another child through a laundry room window that day. 

Interviews with a child and Craig's mother indicated Forshee had previously let the 6-year-old hold the weapon. Allowing the child to hold the firearm and failing “to make reasonable efforts to prevent the use of that firearm” constitutes the charge of dangerous control of a child, authorities said.