Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
KENNER, La. (WGNO) — Officers with the Kenner Police Department are investigating after the father of a Kenner murder victim allegedly killed a 3-year-old then shot himself on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
The KPD reported that officers responded to a home in the 800 block of 27th Street around 7:15 p.m.
At the scene, officers said they found 39-year-old Melvin McClinton Sr. unresponsive, lying in the driveway, suffering with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“It’s a tragedy when a baby is involved,” said one Kenner resident.
A Kenner family and neighborhood is left to mourn the death of a 3-year-old, who police say was shot by his father, Mcclinton, Sr.
“Very emotional scene for not just the family members but the neighbors who all knew the child. It is one of those moments that the neighborhood will never forget,” said Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley.
Conley said it began as an altercation with the mother about disciplining their child. Then McClinton allegedly grabbed the gun, shot his son, then exited the home and shot himself.
One neighbor, who knew McClinton personally, is processing the news.
“I was out but I never thought he would do that. I know him. He was a cool dude, I never thought that would go like that. Stuff happens all the time but that’s crazy,” said the neighbor.
Family members said they began to see a change in McClinton’s behavior after his 18-year-old son, Melvin Mcclinton Jr., was shot and killed on Feb. 5.
“He is shot on 42nd Street. His family did indicate that his emotions and anger issues were coming forward a lot more. We think that might have triggered him to escalate into that act of violence,” said Conley.
The violence that neighbors say they’ll never understand.
“It feels bad, I’m just emotional about it you know. It could have been any of us. We’re just coming to an end right now,” said Kenner resident Lester Landry.
On Friday, March 1 KPD leaders reported that McClinton Sr. had died.
Anyone with information about the shooting can call the Kenner Police at 504-712-2222 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
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