SON KILLED WHEN USED AS `SHIELD'

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) 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.

The alleged gunman, Donnell L. Hughley, 21, was arrested Monday. He
was 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."

On the morning of Jan. 4, Kile went to the area and bought crack
cocaine, Newman said. He had about $100 in his pocket at the
beginning of the day, but ran out of money.

Kile left the area, then showed up later that afternoon with a new
power drill. With him were his sons, William and 12-year-old Michael,
who has Down syndrome.

Kile then allegedly drove to the street where he met up with
Hughley.

A witness told police he saw a struggle in which Kile, seated in his
car as Hughley stood outside, tried to take the dealer's drugs. Kile
drove off, and Hughley was dragged for several yards.

Hughley got up and fired shots toward Kile's car, Newman
said.

After the shooting, Kile had told police he was driving with his boys
in another part of town, looking for a puppy. He said he heard a
gunshot and saw his son was hurt.

"A man has got to be a slave to crack cocaine (to do this)," Sarfaty
said.