PRINCETON, Ill. (TCN) — A 3-year-old boy was killed during a hostage situation that escalated to an officer-involved shooting, authorities say.
In the early morning hours of May 10, police responded to a mobile home after receiving a report of a domestic disturbance, according to KBTX. Officers found several people, including children, being held hostage in a room; the suspect was later identified as Anthony Daniel Rodriguez, 42.
Officers tried and failed to get Rodriguez to leave the room. When they heard screams coming from the hostages inside, they believed that the residents were in danger. Officers entered the home and opened fire, and Rodriguez and 3-year-old Damian Camacho were shot. The child was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Shaw Local reports Rodriguez was treated for his injuries before being booked into jail on May 11 on charges of aggravated unlawful restraint, aggravated assault, and domestic battery.
Camacho’s mother, Aurora Almanza, reportedly witnessed the fatal shooting of her son. She said that she and the suspect had been in an on-again, off-again relationship for the past several years. KBTX reports she said, “He was around my kids. Never once in my life did I ever, ever think he was capable of doing anything like this — ever.”
Shaw Local reports Camacho was not related to Rodriguez. In an interview with the outlet, Camacho’s aunt, Cindy Almanza, said, “I’m trying my hardest to be very loud and speak up for my nephew. … The police were supposed to be there to protect him, and I believe they failed him.”
The investigation is ongoing.
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