1-year-old boy shot dead as cops open fire at pickup truck after he was kidnapped by father on Thanksgiving
A toddler in Ontario, Canada, has died after being allegedly kidnapped by his father on Thanksgiving. As per The Sun, when the unidentified man allegedly fled in his pickup truck with the one-year-old boy, police chased him down and opened fire. The kid died at the scene, but it’s unclear if the police gunfire killed him.
A statement from the Special Investigations Unit stated that at around 8:45 am, Ontario Provincial Police received the information that a tot has allegedly been kidnapped by his own father. Soon after getting the tip, officers found the pickup truck in which the suspect was fleeing with the child in the City of Kawartha Lakes and tried to stop it. But the vehicle of interest crashed with a police cruiser and a civilian vehicle, leaving a cop who was standing outside the cruiser gravely injured. Following which, an altercation happened between the man and others. Police said around that time, three officers fired bullets and the 33-year-old accused got hit, which left him in a critical situation. He was airlifted to a hospital.
Police also searched the pickup truck and found the victim, who had been hit by the gunfire. He was declared dead on the spot. Police watchdog spokesperson Monica Hudon said, “It's too early for us to know why officers fired at the vehicle, and it's too early for us to know exactly what transpired.” Two people also witnessed the scene. One of them identified as Michelle Barry mentioned: “We heard the first vehicle hit the side of the road, so you could tell it was going really fast.” Neighbor Tom Deciccio said there was a desperate knocking at his door and when he opened it a woman with her son and a therapist were standing outside. Deciccio stated they "wanted in, for a safe haven", before adding "there was something about the husband had left with the little baby."
Speaking about the incident, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said: “As a result of a tragic incident today, one child is dead and two others significantly injured. "I ask that @SIUOntario and @YRP be given time to investigate, without speculation on the events as they unfolded. Our thoughts & prayers are with those that are suffering today.”
Reports stated that till Friday, November 27, police did not confirm if the toddler died due to police firing, but they said a handgun was recovered from the vehicle. An autopsy was reportedly expected to happen on Saturday, November 28. Meanwhile, people have been urged to come forward if they have any information regarding the incident. They have been asked to call at 1-800-787-8529. Also, if anyone has any video related to the episode, they can upload it to the Special Investigations Unit website.
In another incident, a Pennsylvania father was accused of selling his two-year-old baby girl for $10,000. The Alleghany County Police Department reportedly received information that a little girl named Nalani Johnson has disappeared. The victim’s father Paul Johnson reportedly called the police at around 5 pm on Saturday, August 31. The accused said to the cops that he had been riding in a car with Lyft and Uber stickers with his daughter and a friend and they got off at the intersection of Bryant Road and Prescott Road in Penn Hills. Before he could take his daughter out of the car seat, the driver sped away. An Amber alert was issued after the disappearance and the same day, the driver, identified as 25-year-old Sharena Nancy, was captured. But the child was not with her. When she was asked about the kid, she reportedly told officers that Johnson had sold the child to an individual for $10,000 and asked her to complete the drop-off.