A 3-month-old baby was shot dead during a shootout between his father and the police.
La’Mello Parker, aged just three months, became a victim of a crossfire after his father kidnapped him and got involved in a shootout with the police.
According to the reports, the baby’s father, Eric Derell Smith, was accused of killing La’Mello’s mother and her nephew in Louisiana before fleeing the murder scene together with his son.
Following a two-state chase, the police caught up with the murder and kidnapping suspect after he got stuck in a grassy median off Interstate 10 in Biloxi, Mississippi.
As the suspect exited his car and started shooting, massive gunfire broke out and the officers fired a series of bullets at the suspect’s car, killing the 30-year-old father. According to the reports, it is believed that the 3-month-old baby was also shot during the confrontation.
Though the baby was initially said to be in a stable condition after he was rushed to Merit Health, and later the USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, La’Mello succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning.
An autopsy scheduled for Wednesday is set to confirm the baby’s cause of death.
“Despite the efforts of medical staff, the child passed away as a result of the injuries sustained. As stated, the investigation is ongoing at this time. Once a thorough investigation is completed the details will be released to the District Attorney’s Office for review,” Biloxi Police Department has since revealed.
Meanwhile, Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer spoke out to confirm that baby La’Mello died at the Alabama hospital at 1.30 am on Tuesday.
“An autopsy will be done tomorrow to determine the exact cause of death. All we are releasing now is that he died as a result of his injuries,” Switzer said in an interview with WLOX.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to SHARE this post with your family and friends. For more news and stories, follow us on Facebook!