A father suspected of setting fire to his home in New Orleans and killing his three children inside the house is in police custody. NOPD superintendent Ron Lubrano says they tracked down 29-year-old Joseph Washington Sr Wednesday morning after he leapt from an I-610 overpass in an effort to get away from the cops.
“The investigation revealed that Joseph Washington will be charged with three counts of second-degree murder, three counts of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile and one count of aggravated arson,” said Lubrano.
The children’s mother told police that Washington was threatening to set their house on fire. She was not at home at the time. Interim NOPD Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick says she has since tried to reach out to the distraught mother, only to get her voicemail.
“I was without words I don’t even know how to say, other to let her know that we do know and care about what has happened here,” said Kirkpatrick.
The children killed in this domestic violence incident range from three to eight years old. Kirkpatrick says it’s a senseless crime.
“We are deeply saddened as a collective voice we share the outrage of this community,” said Kirkpatrick.
Washington’s vehicle was found partially submerged in the Mississippi River by Gretna Police. The suspect was taken to the hospital from injuries he sustained while trying to run away from police.
Comments