An Ohio father has been arrested in the brutal murder of his 13-year-old daughter, Kei’Mani Latigue, who was found dead in a burned building on Monday, days after being reported missing.
Darnell Jones, 33, was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly exchanging gunfire with police. A Columbus SWAT officer fired their weapon, striking Jones, at which point he was taken into custody, according to a news release.
Jones was transported to a local hospital, where he said to be in stable condition as of Wednesday. No officers were wounded in the shooting.
Kei’Mani was missing for the better part of a week before her remains were found Monday in a burned-out house, left vacant by a fire three years earlier, according to local Toledo outlet The Blade.
Columbus Police Lieutenant Brian Steel told People that Kei’Mani was nearly decapitated when her body was found. She had been sexually assaulted and her hands had been cut off. The Lucas County Coroner ruled her death was a homicide due to “multiple incised wounds of the neck.”
Following the gruesome discovery, an arrest warrant was issued for Jones, charging him with murder. A warrant had previously been issued for his arrest in connection with Kei’Mani’s abduction. Authorities say she was last seen with her father on March 18.
The heinous crime has left Kei’Mani’s community reeling. Over 100 locals came together Tuesday evening for a candlelight vigil near the house where she was found, which they surrounded with teddy bears, balloons and flowers, according to The Blade.