FREMONT – Tuesday at approximately 9:30 p.m., the Indiana State Police, along with officers from the Fremont Police and the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department responded to a residence in the 100 block of Baum Street in Fremont, to investigate a 911 call reporting a person suffering from a gunshot.
Detectives assigned to the Fort Wayne Post have assumed primary investigative responsibilities. Their preliminary investigation has revealed that this was an isolated incident involving two 18-year-old male friends, who were handling a shotgun inside the residence.
While handling the shotgun, the weapon discharged, striking Caiden David Hulliberger, of Angola. Hulliberger was pronounced dead at the scene by the Steuben County Coroner.
The other male’s identity is not being released until the Steuben County Prosecutor is presented with a complete investigation and determines if any criminal charges will be filed.
Preliminarily this is being investigated as an accidental shooting incident, however, this remains an active and ongoing criminal investigation. The Steuben County Coroner scheduled an autopsy Wednesday afternoon at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center in Fort Wayne.
ISP detectives were assisted at the scene by the Fremont PD, Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, and the Steuben County Coroner.
At this time there is no further information available for release.
