A Moss Bluff father and son were indicted in state district court Thursday in connection with the May 15 shooting of a 7-year-old boy at Moss Bluff Elementary School.

Michael Dugas, 50, was indicted on charges of negligent injury and improper supervision of a minor by a parent. His son, Jake Dugas, 17, was indicted on one count of negligent injuring.

Michael Dugas

Special to American Press

Both were arrested May 18 in connection with the accidental shooting of Gage Meche in a first-grade classroom by a child who had picked up a gun that dropped out of the backpack of another student, who is Michael Dugas’ son.

Authorities said the .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun was given to Jake Dugas by Michael Dugas and was kept in a shoe organizer hung in the bedroom the two boys shared. 

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso said an unlocked fireproof gun safe was in a closet just a few feet away and wasn’t being used.

Meche, who had been flown to a Lafayette hospital the day of the shooting, has undergone several surgeries because of an abdominal injury.

1. Family members charged: Father, son face charges for accidental shooting at school

Michael Dugas, who is expected to go on trial Sept. 5 for a 2015 vehicular homicide charge, remains in the Calcasieu Correctional Center.