Bail Set for Suspect in Three-Year-Old Lake County Boy’s Death

Bail is set at $100,000 for a Lake County man accused of shooting and killing a 3-year-old boy.

NBC Montana reports Galen Hawk appeared in court Friday afternoon in Polson on a negligent homicide charge.

Court documents say Hawk shot and killed 3-year-old Lonato Moran-Allen on Wednesday night. Hawk was later taken to a hospital in Ronan where he died.

NBC Montana reports Hawk and Moran-Allen were playing "gun tag." Moran-Allen had a toy gun and Hawk had a real one. The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. according to Lake County officials.

Hawk told investigators he'd been drinking whiskey and alcoholic lemonade the night of the shooting.

Karen Sargeant with the Lake County Sheriff's Office said investigators don't know much about Hawk:

"We don't know anything about Galen, except we believe he is not a relative of the victim," she said.

NBC Montana said Hawk claims he didn't know his 380 handgun was loaded. He claimed he and Moran-Allen were just playing.

"He chose to take a handgun, similar to this one. A 380 handgun, loaded, while he was intoxicated, and pointed it at a child," said Lake County Deputy Attorney James Lapotka.

For now, deputies say no other suspects are involved.

"At this point in time, in this investigation, has not led us to believe there was anybody else involved," Sargeant said.

NBC Montana said Hawk's defense attorney told the court Hawk would like to attend the little boy's funeral, but the judge did not weigh in on whether that would be a possibility.

Hawk faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine if convicted on the negligent homicide charge.