Indiana Mother Faces Felony Charges After 7-Year-Old Daughter Accidentally Shoots Herself in Car

A 37-year-old Indiana mother, Alysha Gulley, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of neglect of a dependent following an incident where her 7-year-old daughter accidentally shot herself inside their car. The shooting occurred on November 16, 2025, as the family was returning home from a dollar store in Indianapolis.

According to police reports, Gulley initially claimed that her daughter had been struck by gunfire during a drive-by attack. However, responding officers found no evidence of a shooter or any signs of external damage to the vehicle, leading them to investigate further. They discovered multiple bullet holes inside the minivan, including one where the child was seated at the time of the shooting.

The investigation revealed that the gun had been stored in an unsecured backpack in the car. The 7-year-old told police she reached into the backpack after her mother asked her to grab a vape pen. During the process, the backpack discharged a loaded 9 mm handgun, causing the fatal injury. The child was described as awake and breathing when first responders arrived but suffered a gunshot wound to the pelvis.

Gulley has been charged with felony counts of neglect of a dependent, including one count of neglect resulting in bodily injury. Authorities noted that the unsecured firearm created a dangerous situation, directly leading to the accident. The mother was booked into the Marion County Jail on a $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court for an initial hearing on April 17.

This case highlights the potential risks of improperly storing firearms in vehicles, particularly when children are present. Investigators concluded that the lack of secure storage contributed to the tragic incident, underscoring the importance of responsible gun handling to prevent similar accidents in the future.