Boy, 10, shot to death in Akron identified; police say shooting appears to be accident

Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
Akron police and members of the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office in the North Hill neighborhood of Akron on Thursday evening.
Akron police and members of the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office in the North Hill neighborhood of Akron on Thursday evening.

Akron police continue to investigate the shooting death of a young boy found in a home Thursday afternoon in the city's North Hill neighborhood.

He was identified as Kismet Sengdan, 10, by the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office.

Kismet Sengdan
Kismet Sengdan

Police said preliminary findings suggest the boy was accidentally shot when juveniles found an unsecured firearm belonging to an adult living in the home. Police recovered the handgun.

The medical examiner said the boy died from a gunshot wound to the head and ruled it a homicide.

Boy shot: Youth found shot to death at house in Akron's North Hill neighborhood

"The incident appears to be the result of an unintentional discharge stemming from at least one other child's mishandling of a firearm," Akron police said Friday.

Akron Police say preliminary findings suggest that Kismet Sengdan, 10, was accidentally shot and killed when juveniles found an unsecured firearm belonging to an adult living in this home at 197 Dayton Place in Akron Thursday. Police recovered the handgun.
Akron Police say preliminary findings suggest that Kismet Sengdan, 10, was accidentally shot and killed when juveniles found an unsecured firearm belonging to an adult living in this home at 197 Dayton Place in Akron Thursday. Police recovered the handgun.

Kismet did not live in the home in the 100 block of Dayton Place where the shooting happened but was a frequent visitor there, police said.

The boy was in the fourth grade at Harris Jackson Community Learning Center in North Hill. Akron Public Schools said its crisis teams are assisting every way they can.

Slippers outside 197 Dayton Place in Akron on Friday, Akron Police say preliminary findings suggest that Kismet Sengdan, 10, was accidentally shot and killed when juveniles found an unsecured firearm belonging to an adult living in this home on Thursday. Police recovered the handgun.
Slippers outside 197 Dayton Place in Akron on Friday, Akron Police say preliminary findings suggest that Kismet Sengdan, 10, was accidentally shot and killed when juveniles found an unsecured firearm belonging to an adult living in this home on Thursday. Police recovered the handgun.

While the death appears to be from an unintentional discharge of a gun, the circumstances are still being investigated, Akron police said.

Officers responded to the residence just before 5 p.m. for what was initially considered an unknown problem, according to a news release sent Thursday.

Kismet was found dead in an upstairs bedroom, according to the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:36 p.m.

Akron police and members of the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office respond to a boy's shooting death Thursday in Akron's North Hill.
Akron police and members of the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office respond to a boy's shooting death Thursday in Akron's North Hill.

No one other than the boy was found in the home when police arrived. At least three other juveniles were seen leaving the home prior to police arriving. The home is in a primarily residential area south of East Tallmadge Avenue and east of North Main Street.

Members of the Akron Police Department and the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office at a house in the North Hill neighborhood of Akron on Thursday evening.
Members of the Akron Police Department and the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office at a house in the North Hill neighborhood of Akron on Thursday evening.

The juveniles and adult gun owner are part of the Bhutanese-Nepali community in North Hill, police said.

The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office and investigators from the Crime Scene Unit processed the scene.

Detectives located and questioned several people, including the juveniles who were reportedly at the home.

The Bhutanese Community Association of Akron has created a GoFundMe page to support the family of Kismet. The family has been experiencing financial hardship, BCAA President Manorath Khanal said, and the funds will cover funeral expenses and other costs. To donate to the fund, visit: https://tinyurl.com/993k7uak.

A funeral for Kismet will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at 791 E. Market St. in Akron.

Akron police secure the scene of a shooting Thursday in Akron's North Hill neighborhood.
Akron police secure the scene of a shooting Thursday in Akron's North Hill neighborhood.

Police are asking anyone with information to call detectives at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip; call the Summit County Crime Stoppers at 330-434-COPS; or text TIPSCO with tips to 274637. Callers can remain anonymous.

Beacon Journal reporter Eric Marotta contributed to this report. Beacon Journal reporter Jim Mackinnon can be reached at 330-996-3544 or jmackinnon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him @JimMackinnonABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/JimMackinnonABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Fundraiser started for family of boy, 10, shot to death in Akron