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Grand Canyon child abuse grandpa found dead

Posted at 4:47 PM, Jan 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-09 20:46:07-05

Police have identified the man that was shot and killed Friday in Indianapolis as Christopher Carlson. 

Carlson made headlines in 2011, when he was convicted of child abuse for forcing his three grandsons on two grueling hikes in the Grand Canyon. 

The shooting happened around 6:30 p.m. when officers arrived at the scene, they found Carlson shot multiple times. 

Two small children, who investigators believe to be Carlson's, were not hurt and are being cared for, according to police.

Authorities said Carlson forced his grandchildren, who were 12, 9 and 8 years old at the time, on a 19-mile hike through the Grand Canyon. Authorities said the boys were dehydrated, bruised and blistered.

The boys told police they had been hit, pushed, choked, whipped, forced to vomit and denied food and water while hiking in the 108-degree temperatures.

Carlson was sentenced to a 27-month prison term in June 2012, but he received credit for nearly 10 months that he had already served.

In 2014, Carlson was charged with animal cruelty. 

Officials said Carlson did not immediately seek medical help for his dog after he ran him over and instead opted to "self-treat" the animal.