Police: Man who killed his toddler, shot himself was distraught over the slaying of his elder son

KENNER, La. (AP) — Authorities in a New Orleans suburb say a man who was distraught over the recent slaying of his 18-year-old son shot his 3-year-old son to death and then shot himself.

Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley said the child was dead when police officers arrived at the house where the shooting occurred Wednesday night. The father was found unconscious outside the house with a gunshot wound. He remained “unresponsive” as of Thursday morning, Conley told reporters.

Conley said police were told that the father, identified by news outlets as Melvin McClinton Sr., 39, was already suffering emotional problems following the Feb. 5 shooting death of his older son, Melvin McClinton Jr. “His family did indicate that his emotional issues and his anger issues were coming forward a lot more aggressive since that incident,” he said.

Wednesday night’s shooting followed an altercation with the 3-year-old’s mother.

“There was a domestic disturbance over the father’s disciplining of the child,” Conley said. “We think that might have triggered him to escalate into that act of violence.”

News outlets report that a 19-year-old suspect was arrested soon after the death of Melvin McClinton Jr. The suspect faces a first-degree murder charge.