Man Wanted in Murder of Daughter Shot by Columbus Police After Confrontation

COLUMBUS, OHIO – A man wanted in Toledo for the horrific murder of his 13-year-old daughter was shot by Columbus Police officers Tuesday morning after allegedly pulling a gun during a confrontation. Darnell Jones, 33, was apprehended in Columbus as authorities were attempting to locate him in connection with the death of Kei’Mani Latigue, who had been reported missing last week.

According to police, the incident occurred around 10:00 AM when officers encountered Jones. During the confrontation, Jones allegedly brandished a firearm, prompting an officer to fire at him. Jones was subsequently hospitalized and is currently listed in stable condition.

In addition to the Toledo murder charge, Jones now faces a charge of Felonious Assault – Peace Officer in Columbus. His arraignment in Franklin County, initially scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed due to his hospitalization. 

The case has been described as exceptionally disturbing. FOP official Brian Steel stated, “This is one of the most horrific cases I’ve ever heard of. This is a 14-year-old who was murdered, raped, had her hands cut off and her throat almost cut off.”

Law enforcement agencies had been alerted on Monday to be on the lookout for Jones. The Columbus Police SWAT team was assisting the Toledo Police Department in the search when the shooting occurred. Authorities confirmed that no officers were injured during the incident, and it remains unclear whether Jones fired any shots from the weapon recovered at the scene.

The body of Kei’Mani Latigue was tragically discovered on Monday, March 24th, on the second floor of an abandoned house on Miami Street in Toledo. This grim discovery came just hours after Jones was initially charged with abduction in the teen’s disappearance. Charging documents from Toledo alleged that Jones was the last person seen with Kei’Mani before she went missing and that he provided inconsistent accounts of her whereabouts. Following the discovery of her body, Jones was also charged with murder and felonious assault. The motive behind the crime remains under investigation.

An autopsy conducted by the Lucas County Coroner’s Office determined that Kei’Mani died of multiple “incised wounds of the neck” and ruled her death a homicide.   

A spokesperson for the city of Toledo announced that the abandoned house where Kei’Mani’s body was found will be demolished once the Toledo Police investigation concludes. In the interim, city crews have secured the property and removed debris. “What happened here was an unspeakable tragedy and we hope removing the structure can be part of the effort to help the community heal,” the spokesperson stated.

Kei’Mani Latigue, a student at Spring Elementary School, was just days away from her 14th birthday. A spokesperson for Toledo Public Schools shared that Kei’Mani was scheduled to receive a kindness award later this week and had recently been recognized at the school’s Honor Roll Assembly. “The students and staff at Spring Elementary are saddened by the loss of their friend and classmate, Kei’Maini Latigue,” the TPS spokesperson said, remembering her as “very personable and someone who got along well with others.”

Kei’Mani’s mother, Tiara Kasten, spoke to local news, recalling the last time she saw her daughter on March 15th. The family has confirmed that the Brown Legacy Memorial funeral home in Toledo is the designated channel for community donations towards memorial services.