In a brutal incident, a six-month-old baby was shot multiple times by its father at a home northwest of Phoenix after he took the infant and its mother captive on Friday. The mother escaped with minor injuries, but the child was shifted to a nearby hospital in serious condition.
Following a standoff with police, a fire erupted, leaving the suspect’s status uncertain.
In response to an emergency call, officers arrived at a home in Surprise after 11:30 a.m. The woman reported that she and her baby had been held captive by the child’s father since 3 a.m.
After escaping, the woman borrowed a cellphone from a nearby construction crew. She urgently informed the dispatcher that the infant remained inside the home and might be at risk.
“The infant victim was airlifted to a nearby hospital in serious condition, but injuries are believed to be non-life threatening,” Surprise police said in a statement Friday night. “The female victim was treated at the scene for minor injuries and was transported to the hospital to be with the child.”
In the afternoon, SWAT officers encircled the home, with investigators suspecting that the man remained inside.
During the police standoff, a fire erupted, and authorities reported that the suspect remained inside the home, although his condition remained uncertain.
The house caught fire during the confrontation, and aerial videos and photos later revealed a thick plume of smoke rising from the severely damaged residence.
“The condition of the suspect will be unknown until it is safe for investigators to enter the residence,” police said in the statement Friday night
ALSO READ | Shooting in Los Angeles leaves 7 injured, Including 4 in Critical Condition