Washington County-At approximately 9:55 PM last night, a 911 call came from 3603 West Vincennes Trail in Salem, IN, in reference to a man being shot. A trooper from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg and a deputy from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department responded to the call. When officers arrived they located a deceased male, Michael A. Bayless, 33, from Waverly Road in Martinsville, IN, who was at the residence with his wife, three children and another juvenile family member.

The preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators reveals Michael A. Bayless was watching a TV program with two of his children, when his other child, a three year old boy, located a loaded handgun in the area where they were watching the program. The child accidently discharged the loaded handgun striking Michael A. Bayless. Michael A. Bayless was pronounced dead at the scene.

Michael A. Bayless and his family were at the residence doing remodeling work on the home. No one else at the residence was injured.

This investigation is continuing.

All subjects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.