One man's standoff with police led to the death of his entire family in what appears to be a heartbreaking instance of domestic violence.
Police from Baxter Springs, Kansas, responded to a 911 call from a woman in a camping trailer in the area. That woman was 27-year-old Taylor D. Shutte, who informed police she was in a dangerous situation, though no further details in the call were shared.
Police knocked on the door and 37-year-old Eli Crawford responded, immediately slamming the door when he realized it was the authorities. His 2-year-old daughter, Clesslynn Crawford, then reopened the door long enough for Shutte to run out.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women's shelter (domesticshelters.org).
Crawford stepped out of the trailer while his toddler daughter went back inside. He then fired shots at Shutte in front of police. She was shot multiple times and then, he turned his fire on the officers.
Officers retreated a safe distance and chose not to open fire. Crawford escalated with more guns, shooting multiple weapons at officers at the same time. All the while, Shutte laid there injured and eventually died from her injuries.
Baxter Springs police then called for backup from nearby law enforcement agencies. Joplin SWAT team responded, along with Cherokee County sheriff's deputies, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Almost two hours after the standoff started, a Joplin SWAT officer fired a single round into the camping trailer.
Shortly after, gunfire ceased. Authorities approached the trailer, passing Shutte's body, to find Crawford and 2-year-old Clesslynn dead as well.
On April 4, police confirmed the shot that killed the toddler was the one fired by the law enforcement officer. Crawford died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
"This is a horrific outcome to what had already started as a very tragic incident," police Chief Sloan Rowland said in a statement to Joplin Globe.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families involved and the surrounding community. We ask that you pray for the victims and everyone involved."
