DAD USED BOY AS A SHIELD, POLICE SAY

INDIANAPOLIS -- A crack addict who police say used his children as
"shields" when he bought drugs in dangerous neighborhoods was charged with
murder Friday after his 6-year-old son was fatally shot during a deal gone
bad.

Authorities say an argument over $20 worth of drugs led to the Jan. 4
shooting of Michael Kile's son William, who was shot in the back of the
head when a bullet pierced a window of his father's car. The boy died at a
hospital eight days later.

Authorities said Kile, 37, used his children as human shields, assuming
their presence would protect him from violence.

"He definitely used his son as he was dying as almost a shield, too,"
Detective Thomas Sarfaty said.

"What we have here is a tragedy of one guy who is willing to kill over $20,
and another person so addicted to crack cocaine that he put his own son in
harm's way," Prosecutor Scott Newman said.

In addition to murder, Kile was charged with two counts of child neglect
and supplying false information to police. He remained at large Friday. If
convicted, he faces up to 89 years in prison.

Donnell L. Hughley, 21, accused of firing the gun, was arrested Monday and
charged Friday with murder.

Newman said witnesses have told police Kile is a crack cocaine addict who
frequented a high-traffic drug area just north of downtown. He was such a
common fixture that dealers gave him the street name "White Mike."