An Ohio dad shot and killed his 6-year-old daughter before he turned the gun on himself to commit suicide on Sunday.

According to police, 40-year-old Eric Johnson killed his daughter, Iyla Johnson, after a dispute occurred over the girl's custody.

In a press release, the Mount Healthy Police Department said officers were dispatched to an apartment complex at 1894 Lakenoll Drive at around 11:40 a.m. regarding a custody exchange dispute.

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Ohio Dad Kills Daughter Before Committing Suicide

People reported that police tried to enter a bedroom in the apartment after hearing a gunshot. However, the door was barricaded from the inside, making it difficult for authorities to enter.

Additional shots rang out as cops attempted to force entry, prompting them to retreat. A Hamilton County SWAT team was then called in and entered the scene.

WLWT News reported that the SWAT tried to communicate with Eric Johnson while he was inside the bedroom. However, their repeated attempts failed, so officers forced their way into the residence.

The team then discovered the Ohio dad and his 6-year-old daughter dead from gunshot wounds. The standoff between Johnson and the SWAT team reportedly ended around 3:30 p.m.

Mount Healthy police Chief Vincent Demasi said they were still trying to gather all the evidence that they possibly could. He added that it would take more time for them to thoroughly investigate the incident "in the manner that the prosecutor's office expects us to do."

Demasi noted that the Ohio dad was a convicted felon who was prohibited under the law from possessing a firearm. He said it was a "very heartbreaking situation," adding that he was grateful that none from the police force were injured.

Demasi then extended his deepest sympathies to the family of the little girl. The Springfield Township and North College Hill police departments had helped the Mount Healthy police with this investigation.

Neighbor Reacts to Ohio Dad and Daughter's Deaths in Apparent Murder-Suicide

Neighbor Andrew Dawson said he was praying for a positive outcome with the hours-long SWAT standoff. He noted that leaning and trusting God was the most important thing any of them could do at the time, according to WLWT News.

Dawson said the girl's family and the onlookers were initially upset but quickly turned to sadness when police discovered the Ohio dad and his daughter were dead from gunshot wounds.

Demasi noted that Eric Johnson has a lengthy felony criminal record and was an individual that should not be out on the streets. He added that Johnson "definitely should not be in possession of a firearm," adding that "unfortunately, he was."

Dawson noted that the police did a "really good job" during the incident by trying to resolve the matter without anyone getting harmed.

According to Violence Policy Center (VPC), murder-suicides are a common form of gun violence in the United States, with around 11 incidents occurring each week.

A VPC research has found that more than 1,200 Americans die in murder-suicides each year, and nearly two-thirds of these cases involve an intimate partner of the shooter that becomes a victim.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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