Surprise, Arizona – In a tragic turn of events, a man suspected of shooting his 6-month-old son has been found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after a SWAT standoff and house fire, according to police. The baby, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, remains in critical but stable condition at a local hospital.
The incident unfolded when police responded to an emergency call on Friday morning from a woman who reported being held captive, along with her baby, by the child’s father since 3 a.m. The mother managed to escape with minor injuries and sought help from a nearby construction crew to call 911.
As officers arrived at the suburban Phoenix home, they heard gunshots coming from inside the residence. Upon entering, they discovered the injured baby but did not locate the father. The officers swiftly retrieved the child and made their way out.
The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Todd Christopher Marchetti, had adamantly refused to surrender peacefully throughout the ordeal. Initially, fire damage hampered the authorities’ search for him within the house.
Once it was deemed safe for investigators to enter the residence, they discovered Marchetti’s remains, along with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The exact cause of death remains pending the medical examiner’s final report.
Aerial footage captured the aftermath of the devastating house fire, as thick clouds of smoke billowed from the severely damaged structure. Surprise police have announced that they will provide further details regarding the ongoing investigation during a news conference on Monday.
As the community mourns this tragic loss, authorities will continue their efforts to uncover the full circumstances surrounding this harrowing event.