Docs: Autistic boy shot after game of insults

RICHMOND, Ind. — A Richmond man was charged after reportedly shooting an autistic boy in the chest with a pellet rifle after a “game” of exchanging insults escalated, according to court documents.

Ja’Curion Lamar Van Meter, 27, was charged with Aggravated Battery, a Level 3 Felony.

The Richmond Police Department began to investigate a case on Saturday, April 27, on a report that a 17-year-old juvenile was shot on Shamrock Court in Richmond.

During the investigation, detectives learned that around 6 a.m., three juveniles, including the autistic victim, went to cut grass around the community. Afterward, they went to Van Meter’s home on Shamrock Court on the south side of Richmond, where insults were exchanged and shots were fired at the autistic boy.

According to court documents, when detectives interviewed one of the juvenile witnesses, he described how the victim and Van Meter were arguing. The victim reportedly waved a bat but did not attempt to approach Van Meter. During this time, Van Meter shot the victim with a pellet rifle.

Police interviewed Van Meter who said that the victim was being disrespectful and repeatedly called him multiple expletives. Van Meter described that the victim had a bat and begin to walk toward him. Van Meter said that he felt “threatened,” and he grabbed the pellet rifle and fired the gun.

Law enforcement officials then went to St. Vincent Hospital to interview the victim. He described how he and Van Meter began “playfully” saying things to one another and how it was a game of going back and forth insulting each other that led to the shooting. He said that he did have a bat for a short time.

Van Meter has not been arrested. Information will be updated as it becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 59.