Family says it was tragic accident after uncle shot, killed nephew
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The family of a man who police said was shot and killed by his uncle are calling it a tragic accident.
It happened early Saturday morning in the 6600 block of Little Leaf Place on the south side of Indianapolis.
William Zweck, 49, is now facing several charges including reckless homicide for the death of his nephew.
Maurita Mackey told 24-Hour News 8 she lost two people that day, her 18-year-old son and her brother.
Mackey described her son Kodi Pruner as a caring person with a big heart.
“He would put his feelings and thoughts aside for anybody to help anybody out at anytime,” Mackey said.
These past couple of days have been indescribable for her family. She said what happened between her son and her brother was a tragedy.
“It was a tragedy it was a complete accident my brother was not only his uncle but also his role model, a complete tragedy,” Mackey said.
Police responded to a call for a person shot just after 2 a.m. Saturday.
“I come outside and I see my brother being arrested and ‘I’m like oh my gosh what happened I can’t believe this’,” Mackey said.
Mackey said her brother was taken into custody. Police told her at the scene her son was injured. She went to the hospital and learned her son was shot in the head.
According to court documents, Pruner and his friends were walking when his uncle Zweck approached them with a gun. Witnesses told police he was highly intoxicated and pointed the gun at Pruner. They said he tried to push it away and the gun went off.
“Alcohol and guns don’t ever mix ever and this right here, if one person can pass on to stop anybody else from having a firearm while intoxcicated, this is the perfect time,” she said.
Pruner was declared brain dead. Mackey said if there’s a silver lining to this tragedy, her son saved five lives. She found a letter in his bedroom highlighting his goals.
“His three major life goals, he wanted his top life goal was to be a hero and his wishes at the age of 18 was to be a donor,” she said,
Mackey knows her brother would never intentionally hurt her son.She said she’s now finding the strength to forgive.
“I will forgive him because without forgiveness you don’t move on, God forgive us on a daily basis,” she said.
Court documents also show Zweck told police it was an accident. He told police, “I didn’t mean to hurt my nephew, but I did.”
He went on to said, “I should have come out of my house with my gun in my hands so you guys would have shot me.”
Zweck’s trial is scheduled for January.
The family is planning a celebration of life for Pruner. They are still raising money for the burial on GoFundMe.
Click here if you would like to help the family.
