Southern Arizona father kills son before shooting himself, officers say

TUCSON, AZ (AZFamily/13 News) – The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says a 19-year-old father fatally shot his nine-month-old son before attempting to kill himself.

Tuesday around 5 p.m., officers responded to a call involving someone in a nearby neighborhood making suicidal threats Shannon Road and Royal Palm Drive in Tucson. Authorities arrived and learned that Gabriel Huerta had made suicidal comments to family members before leaving the home with his son in a red Ford Fusion.

During the search for Huerta, officers learned that Huerta may be armed and expressed intent to harm both his child and himself.

Huerta’s car was found nearby Himmelparkand officers soon spotted him. After he ignored orders, the sheriff’s office ran to a nearby alley.

Moments later they heard gunshots.

Officers found Huerta suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. They also found his son, who had been shot multiple times.

The child died in hospital from his injuries. Meanwhile, Huerta remains unresponsive and in critical condition.

The investigation is ongoing.

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