Father Sought In Vallejo House Fire That Killed 5-Year-Old Son
VALLEJO (CBS SF) -- Authorities in Vallejo on Monday identified a homicide suspect in connection with a fatal weekend fire at a home that killed the suspect's five-year-old son.
Police issued a press release Monday afternoon that named 53-year-old Vallejo resident Darrylone Shuemake Sr. as the suspect believed to be responsible for setting the fire that killed the child.
Shuemake is considered dangerous, according to the Vallejo Police Department. Authorities are asking anyone that knows his whereabouts to contact the Vallejo Police Department or their local police agency.
Shuemake is the father of Dayleon Shuemake, the boy who was killed in the fire.
Fire investigators have been investigating the fatal blaze since Sunday morning.
"He is on the run, He is expected to be dangerous," said Vallejo Police Lt. Jeff Bassett. "We are asking for the public to assist us in locating him so we can bring justice in regard to this case."
Police believe the fire was set in the back master bedroom where Dayleon and his mother were at the time.
"He used an accelerant and the fire's origin was in the master bedroom," said Bassett.
One neighbor KPIX 5 spoke to said he did everything he could to save the little boy.
Neighbors said the 5-year-old boy lived at the home.
Jeff Ames lives across the street from the home that caught fire and called 911 before running over to help.
"Heard the woman, the mom out front, hollering for someone to save her baby, so I ran down there," explained Ames.
Ames said he was able to get halfway into the home. The flames were mostly contained to the back bedroom.
"But the smoke was horrible. I mean thick, toxic smoke like an oil fire almost," recalled Ames. "I got low, I kind of hovered the floor and was able to go a few feet further and that was it."
By the time fire crews arrived, it was too late. The five-year-old was found dead in that back bedroom.
Ames wasn't alone in his efforts. Many people from the neighborhood stepped in and tried to save the boy.
"It's been a troubled neighborhood. So to see this, although it's tragic, there's some redeeming value too," said Ames
Monday morning, an arson dog and investigators were at the site trying to find a cause for the fire. Vallejo Fire confirmed it was not an accident.
The boy's teenage brother suffered minor injuries in Sunday's fire. The mother remains hospitalized recovering from second and third degree burns.