Omaha, Nebraska – A 47-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly shooting his 10-year-old son on Thanksgiving Day. Will McDonald is facing charges of criminal homicide, use of a weapon-gun, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
According to the Omaha Police Department, officers responded to a shooting incident at a residence on North 31st Avenue late Thursday night. They discovered the young boy, Kendrick McDonald, with a single gunshot wound. Despite efforts to save him, Kendrick tragically passed away at the hospital.
Detectives have taken over the investigation and promptly placed McDonald under arrest. Initial reports suggest that the father may have mistakenly believed that his son was attempting to steal his car, leading to the tragic shooting. Witnesses mentioned that the car alarm had been going off prior to the incident.
The Omaha Police Department is working diligently to gather more information on the circumstances surrounding the shooting. It is unclear at this time whether Kendrick’s mother was present during the incident, but there were other children inside the house.
Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine expressed the tragic nature of the shooting and stressed the need to determine if McDonald’s use of deadly force was justified. While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have indicated that there is currently no evidence to support such justification.
McDonald is currently being held without bond in the Douglas County Jail. The Omaha Police Department has offered its deepest condolences to Kendrick’s grieving family.