Authorities in Mississippi say a Madison County man kidnapped his young daughter before killing her and himself a short time later.
According to Mississippi News Now, 23-year-old Lavonte Lloyd allegedly traveled from his home to the home of the 1-year-old girl’s mother, Kimberly Outlaw, in Holmes County.
Upon arriving, police say he kidnapped Outlaw and his daughter, Kamaya, and left the home. Lloyd allegedly let the mother go at some point after holding them both hostage at a location in Cruger but kept the girl when he drove away.
By that time, local law enforcement had already begun a pursuit and deputies were chasing him when he reportedly traveled to Greenwood with Kamaya.
He continued on to Sunflower County where he fatally shot the girl before turning the gun on himself and firing a fatal shot, police reports show.
The alleged murder-suicide took place at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday near Greenwood as he drove along Highway 82, according to authorities.
Though it is unclear what might have led to the deadly incident, it came just days after the Holmes County Sheriff’s Department reported a break-in at Outlaw’s home. Deputies were reportedly called to the scene at that time and attempted to chase Lloyd down, but he was able to evade them.
Outlaw had also obtained a restraining order against Lloyd in recent days but it had not yet been served.
According to reports, Lloyd had visitation rights for the young girl at the time of the alleged kidnapping.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and is being handled by the sheriff’s office, the state Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies.
[Featured images: Lavonta Lloyd, Facebook/Kamaya Lloyd, family handout]