MODESTO, CALIFORNIA: A restraining order against a man, accused of claiming the life of his 8-year-old daughter, was granted only a few hours ago before the alleged crime took place. As per reports, the mother of the child filed the restraining request against Donovan Halstead on Monday, July 10, before a judge authorized it on Wednesday morning, July 12.
But before it was served to Halstead, he allegedly shot dead the child in the evening as well as tried to commit suicide. The Modesto Police Department Violent Crimes Unit is now reportedly probing the case, Modesto Police Department said in a statement. The statement also added, “Halstead was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He is not expected to survive.”
Who is Donovan Halstead?
Halstead has allegedly always been a person of violent nature, Yahoo News reported. In her request for the restraining order, the mother of the deceased girl, said, “I am greatly concerned about the safety of our daughter. (Halstead) is extremely angry with me and I believe that he will use our daughter to punish me for ending our abusive marriage.”
In 2016 also, the mother had petitioned for a domestic violence restraining order in which she claimed, “(Halstead) has told me he attempted suicide in the past and I fear that he will harm us, and himself, given his erratic behavior.”
‘Despite life-saving measures, she sadly did not survive’
Meanwhile, the media release from Modesto Police Department regarding July 12 tragedy explained, “Officers were dispatched to the 3700 Block of Havenhurst Court in response to a report of a suicidal subject. Upon arrival, officers saw the subject inside the home through a window, armed with a firearm.”
It continued that the cops tried to convince “the subject” to exit the house without weapons but “before he did so, officers heard gunshots from inside the home. After hearing the gunshots, officers entered the residence and located the subject, 50-year-old Donovan Halstead, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
“Tragically, Halstead's 8-year-old daughter was also found in the home, seriously injured from a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving measures, she sadly did not survive,” the statement added.
‘My heart breaks for this little girl’
Several people have reacted to the news online with a person commenting, “Wow so sad !!! Another reason why I won’t allow firearms in my home!!! I really don’t know what’s going on in someone else’s head!!!” Another person said, “My daughter is 8 I couldn't imagine the fear of that child. God, please take care of her innocent soul!”
“Absolutely devastating!! I wish there was more interest and concern about mental health awareness. People just don't acknowledge the signs of a struggling individual until it is, all to often, too late. Praying for this family,” the third one wrote. The fourth one added, “My heart breaks for this little girl she was only 8 she didn't do anything wrong ,she was a little girl with a full life ahead of her. Her father wanted to take his life be at it but he should of Never taken his daughters!!! . May God and the angels be with this little girl. ? He should of never been left with the little girl if he was depressed or if there were guns in the home.”
