Georgia Man Shoots And Kills 18-Month-Old Daughter, Then Her Mother, Injures Another Woman Before Taking His Life
A Georgia family is in shambles after a father shot and killed his infant daughter and her mother in cold blood on Saturday (June 11) before turning the gun on himself. The man also shot the child’s grandmother, but she is in an Atlanta hospital fighting for her life.
Darian Bennett reportedly opened fire inside of a house in Covington on Saturday night. Police were called to the home at roughly 11:30 pm and upon arriving on the scene, authorities found two unidentified tweens.
When officers entered the home, they discovered a woman’s body and an elderly woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Neither woman’s identity has been confirmed, but the older victim was transported to Atlanta Medical Center via helicopter. They were only named as the mother and grandmother of the infant girl. The survivor is listed in critical condition.
Jaquari Bennett, Darian’s 18-month-old daughter, was identified by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after the Newton County Sheriff's Department issued an Amber Alert in the state.
Newton County Sergeant Jack Redlinger revealed that the father was the suspect who committed the heinous crimes.
"Darian Bennett was the one that shot the baby's mother and took the baby with him and left the scene," he said.
Levi's Call (GA’s #AMBERAlert) was issued for 1 1/2 y/o Jaquari on behalf of Newton County S.O. The description indicated that the child was thought to be with her father in a black Honda Accord.
The following day, authorities from the Riverdale Police Department (RPD) were called by a man– now known as Bennett– and told that he was going to end his life, the sergeant recounted.
"Officers were able to track where the call came from and located a vehicle in the parking lot of a church and began searching for the man when they heard gunshots coming from the church.”
Upon searching the Riverdale church, police found Bennett’s body and the body of baby Jaquari. They had both succumb to gunshot wounds. Riverdale is roughly 41 miles east of Covington, Georgia.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed Jaquari and her father's deaths on its official Facebook page on Sunday (June 12).
“It is with great heartache that we update this #AmberAlert. Baby Jaquari has died. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation.
Newton County Sheriff’s Department provided no further details regarding a motive for the tragic shootings.
Our prayers go out to the families.
