Southern Arizona father killed young son, then shot himself, deputies say

TUCSON, AZ (AZFamily/13 News) — The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says a 19-year-old father shot and killed his 9-month-old son before attempting to kill himself.

On Tuesday around 5 p.m., deputies responded to a call that someone was making suicide threats in an area near Shannon Road and Royal Palm Drive in Tucson. When authorities arrived, they learned that Gabriel Huerta had made suicidal comments to family members before leaving the home with his son in a red Ford Fusion.

While searching for Huerta, deputies learned that Huerta was potentially armed and expressed intent to harm both his child and himself.

Huerta’s car was found near Himmel Parkand deputies soon spotted him. The sheriff’s office says he ignored commands and ran into a nearby alley.

A few moments later they heard shots.

Deputies found Huerta with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. They also found his son, who had been shot multiple times.

The child died from his injuries in the hospital. Meanwhile, Huerta remains unresponsive and is in critical condition.

The investigation is ongoing.

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