Authorities in Ohio say a man has been arrested on suspicion of killing his young son and three others — including another child — during an incident reported to Cleveland police on Tuesday.
As of the latest police statements available, it is unclear what they believe Armond Johnson’s motive was in the violent crime. He is expected to appear in court on Friday.
According to ABC News, officers responded to the scene of a body found in a field, at which time they saw a deceased male later identified as 35-year-old David Cousin Jr. He had reportedly been shot multiple times.
After that discovery, police reports indicate the officers smelled smoke coming from inside a nearby structure and forced their way inside.
Upon entry, reports show officers found the bodies of three more victims: 2-year-old Aubree Stone, 6-year-old Armond Johnson Jr., and 25-year-old Takeyra Collins. A fire had reportedly been started in an adjacent area of the property and the two children are believed to have died as a result of inhaling the smoke. Like Cousin, police say Collins was shot.
Reports indicate Collins was the mother of the two deceased children and Cousin is believed to have been a neighbor in the wrong place at the wrong time, as reported by CNN.
Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams held a subsequent news conference to announce the arrest of the suspect.
“We hope and pray that this person never sees the light of day again,” he said.
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[Featured image: Armond Johnson, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office]
