Police: Father Yelled 'Jesus Is Coming' Before Fatally Stabbing 16-Month-Old Son
UPDATE: The child was identified on Monday as 1 year old, Ashton Ness.
LEWISVILLE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A father beat and stabbed his 16-month-old son to death Sunday afternoon at a Lewisville apartment complex, police say.
Police responded to a stabbing call at around 12:40 p.m. at the Oak Forrest Apartments. Witnesses said a man was beating and stabbing a child in the courtyard of the complex. Shots fired were also reported at the apartments.
When officers arrived, they found a child with severe injuries and a man with a gunshot wound in his leg. Both were transported to hospitals.
"The information we have is that the suspect came out of the apartment carrying the child, and he was yelling some very loud, random things about religion and 'Jesus is coming,'" said Capt. Jesse Hunter.
Witnesses told police the man put his son on ground and stabbed him multiple times. A man watching for his second-story balcony shot the father in the leg to stop him.
Both the father and child were transported to the hospital. The child was later pronounced dead.
"I've been in law enforcement for over 20 years, and this is probably the worst call I've ever been on in my career," said Hunter.
The man was arrested, but the charges are currently unknown. The person who shot the man in the leg will not face charges.
"We're still all pretty confused on how something like this could happen," said Hunter.
Investigation into the child's death is ongoing. Police say there have been no prior calls to the apartment and no reports involving the family and Child Protective Services.
Police say the child's mother lived at the apartment with the father, but she was work at the time of the incident.
Apartment residents were shaken by what occurred and were shocked this happened near their home.
"Everyone gets along with everyone... unbelievable. At a loss of words right now," said one resident. "It's pretty safe here, first time something happened like this."
"Scary to hear something like that happened so close to home," said resident Trista Bishop. "It gives me goosebumps and chills just because it's awful."