A man shot and killed his own daughter before turning the gun to himself in a vile murder-suicide case.
The shocking incident takes place in Central California where 50-year-old Donovan Halstead fatally shot his 8-year-old daughter just two days after her mother filed for a restraining order against the man.
According to the authorities, the police arrived at the family’s Havenhurst Court home after reports of a suicidal man with a weapon.
At the time, Halstead allegedly waves his gun at the officers and promised to come out unarmed. Moments later, however, the police heard gunshots and stormed the home only to find the child bleeding from her head.
Despite their best efforts, the girl could not be saved.
The police also discovered Halstead who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“Officers were dispatched to the 3700 Block of Havenhurst Court in response to a report of a suicidal subject. Upon arrival, officers saw the subject inside the home through a window, armed with a firearm,” the police said.
“Officers immediately attempted to communicate with him, and the subject stated he was going to come out unarmed. However, before he did so, officers heard gunshots from inside the home.”
The statement continued: “After hearing the gunshots, officers entered the residence and located the subject suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Tragically, Halstead’s 8-year-old daughter was also found in the home, seriously injured from a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving measures, she sadly did not survive.”
While the shocking murder-suicide remains under investigation, it has since been revealed that Halstead suffered from clinical depression.
“I’m going to throw something out here that I wouldn’t normally make public and I’m certainly not comfortable discussing openly – Depression and anxiety,” he detailed in one of his final posts.
“Clinical depression to be less vague. An affliction I have struggled with most of my life. I have memories of being a boy and feeling like something was wrong. A dark and looming feeling ever-present regardless of the actual situation. Worrying about every aspect of everything and how it could go wrong or what they would think of me.”
In another post last year, he added: “I’m tired. I get worn out. I get quiet and I get frustrated. I can lash out irrationally or just implode into silence. Awesome coping mechanisms yeah?”
Meanwhile, friends of the late girl’s mother, Kristin, spoke out to pay the child a tribute and remember her as a kind and bubbly young girl.
“A child full of life, radiating joy and curiosity to everyone around her. Her laughter, innocence, and limitless potential were abruptly taken away, leaving a void that can never be filled,” a tribute read.
In a GoFundMe fundraiser aiming to help the grieving mother get through this ordeal, the organizers added: “Kirstin now faces the daunting task of not only grieving the loss of her beloved child but also navigating the complex emotional and financial burdens that accompany such a tragedy.”
Our thoughts remain with Kristin during this challenging time.