While responding to a 911 call, police in Montana made a devastating discovery. A father was dead from an apparent gunshot wound, and his baby — one day shy of his first birthday — was pinned underneath his body. Kenneth Morrison, 31, reportedly collapsed on his son, Tatee'k Morrison, who was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.
Billings Police Chief Rich St. John spoke at a media conference on November 2, detailing the crime scene and imploring the public to end gun violence in the city.
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Witnesses reportedly observed a pickup truck outside the home.
St. John said the incident occurred around 10 a.m. November 1. A witness reportedly called 911 and told officers that occupants of a pickup truck had shot into the house multiple times but said she didn't think anyone was inside. St. John said at least 25 shell casings were found outside the home, and officers have continued to investigate.
No one answered the door.
According to police, responding officers did not reach anyone inside and began to look through the windows. They reportedly noticed a dog that appeared to have a gunshot wound, so they forcibly went inside the home. That's when they discovered the father and son.
"Under the deceased, officers found a one-year-old male who was unresponsive," St. John said. "It appears the adult collapsed from his wounds and fell on the child."
Police identified several suspects.
According to St. John, witnesses led police to two residences "well-known to officers," as they had responded to many calls in the area. Officers locked down the site, and after a five-hour standoff, 10 people left the houses and were interviewed by police.
At the time of the media conference, however, no arrests had been made in connection with the shooting.
Tragically, Tatee'k died one day before his first birthday.
The family of the slain father and son spoke with KTVQ about their loved ones.
"It was very tragic what happened. We just hope that justice does happen," Tatee'k's uncle, Zack Wilson said. "We do know, the little bit, that his dad was trying to protect him. And that's tough."
Wilson's son, Riley, 13, said the family was all ready to celebrate the 1-year-old boy. "We had (the party) all set up and everything," he said. Instead, the family had to make funeral arrangements.
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Like in many American cities, gun violence in Billings is increasing.
Wilson told KTVQ that increased gun violence is concerning.
"You don't think that those things would happen, but so much violence has happened lately," Wilson said. "Gun violence here in Billings is getting a little scary."
The baby's aunt, Kimberly J Tsosie, shared her grief in a Facebook post that reads in part:
“Happy birthday tatee’k cole Morrison you would have been 1 years old today man its a trip you were almost there ! Almost loss my lil sister to a gun now you you spent 364 days with us I’d give anything tohear that lil laugh hold you see you do your lil laps around my coffee table wasn’t even walking yet an still had me on my toes gonna miss my story teller when you’d come over you were my first nephew an first one to leave never gonna b the same without you because he brought
our spark back our happiness had us excited for the future I was so damn lucky to have you your one of a kind love.”
