RIVER RIDGE, La. — A horrific incident unfolded early Saturday morning in River Ridge, Louisiana, resulting in a man fatally shot by police following the alleged murder of his wife and toddler. Local authorities were alerted after a 911 call was made by the man’s 13-year-old daughter, who reported that her father had shot her mother and younger sibling. The call came around 4 a.m. on Saturday, as indicated by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities arrived at the residence to discover the bodies of a 40-year-old woman and her 2-year-old daughter. The 9-year-old daughter was found in critical condition and was immediately transported to a local children's hospital for emergency surgery. The eldest daughter, who had a minor ankle injury, bravely managed to hide and make the alarming call for help, as detailed by Sheriff Joseph P. Lopinto III.

When deputies entered the home, they encountered the suspect, who was armed in a back bedroom. According to Sheriff Lopinto, the man “produced a firearm at that time,” prompting multiple officers to open fire, resulting in his death at the scene.

"Hearing the child make that 911 call is pretty devastating right now," Sheriff Lopinto remarked during a press conference. Investigators are currently looking into the circumstances of the incident, with unanswered questions surrounding the man's motives for this tragic act. No history of domestic violence at the residence has been confirmed thus far.

This shocking event has raised critical discussions around domestic violence. If you or anyone you know is affected by such issues, resources are available for support, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline at TheHotline.org.

For further details, refer to the original sources by AP News and Newsweek.