By: Alyssa Wilson

A three-month-old baby boy was killed when police in Mississippi shot and killed his father on Tuesday. 

According to WWL-TV, La’Mello Parker was with his 30-year-old father, Eric Derrell Smith, who was wanted in connection to a double-homicide in Louisiana. Officers searched for Smith after he allegedly shot his 32-year-old ex-girlfriend Christin Parker, the child’s mother, and her 26-year-old nephew Brandon Parker, NBC News reported. 

Police said Smith fled in a blue Nisan Altima with the child. He later crossed the state line into Mississippi, where police continued the chase. Officers used spike strips and pushed Smith’s car into a grass median.

Major Christopher De Back of the Biloxi Police Department said Smith was shot as he got out of his car. “As the suspect exited the vehicle, shots were fired. Medical attention was given to the suspect, but he died as a result of injuries sustained. The juvenile did receive injuries and was taken to a local medical facility for treatment,” he said. 

WXXV reported Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer said the autopsy revealed the baby died from a single gunshot wound. 

The family of Brandon and Christin Parker have shared pictures of their loved ones with me. Deputies say Christin and Brandon were shot and killed before suspect Eric Derell Smith lead police on a pursuit toward Biloxi, MS. Christin’s 4 month old son was fatally injured. pic.twitter.com/MTWp8XopIf

— Abbi Rocha (@AbbiRochaTV) May 4, 2021

Suzette Bond, a woman who witnessed the shooting and recorded video, told WWL-TV that the police could have gotten the baby out of the car. “They had plenty of opportunity to turn around and surround him and get that baby out of the car without opening fire,” she said. 

This is a tragedy! Did police read the APB, which said there was a child in the car, before they ruthlessly fired 50+ times? This 4-month-old baby did not deserve to die! pic.twitter.com/eRxwYswqGU

— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) May 7, 2021

The investigation being conducted by the Biloxi Police Department is active and ongoing. 

This is a developing story that will be updated. 

If you or someone you know is struggling from trauma triggered by police violence, resources are available here.