Father Accused of Killing Son, 10, on Thanksgiving May Have Confused Boy for Man Trying to Steal Car: Police

Kendrick McDonald loved going on drives with father — the man now charged in connection with the boy's death

A Nebraska man arrested on accusations he fatally shot his son on Thanksgiving may have mistaken the 10-year-old for a car thief, according to a police spokesperson, who tells PEOPLE the case is still under investigation and that "some evidence" points to that theory.

Police responded Thursday night to the shooting just after 11:30 p.m and found the child, Kendrick McDonald, suffering from a gunshot wound, according to a Friday press release from the Omaha Police Department.

Will McDonald, 47, was arrested on charges of "criminal homicide, use of a weapon-gun, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person,” according to the press release.

Police are investigating information that suggests that someone in the residence was responding to a car alarm, according to WOWT and KETV.

“Another young person started coming up towards the house, and he fired a shot,” Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine alleged, according to WOWT. “After he fired the shot, he realized that this person was coming towards him was his 10-year-old son, and his son died from that gunshot.”

Related: 10-Year-Old Nebraska Boy Shot and Killed on Thanksgiving, Father Arrested

Kendrick was transported to a nearby hospital by the Omaha Fire Department, and died there.

In a GoFundMe fundraiser created over the weekend, Kendrick’s maternal uncle described the boy as a “funny and active” child who “loved to be silly and make people laugh.”

“He loved listening to music and going for rides with his dad,” read the fundraiser, adding that the boy was very close to his three brothers as well. “He loved to have movie nights and cuddle with us and the animals.”

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Kleine has said that Will has a past conviction and he "shouldn’t have had a gun to begin with," according to WOWT.

He is being held at the Douglas County Jail. He appeared in Douglas County Court on Tuesday where his bond was set at $750,000, Omaha police confirm to PEOPLE.

Will is set to appear in court on Jan. 9 for his preliminary hearing, and he has been assigned a public defender through the Douglas County Public Defender's Office, police tell PEOPLE. PEOPLE was not able to immediately reach the public defender.

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