What to Know
An Ohio mother discovered something disturbing while searching her 11-year-old daughter’s cellphone. The unidentified woman contacted police on July 15, 2026, to report a video that appeared to show her child being sexually assaulted inside their home.
The following day, the child’s father, Malik Chandler, decided to take matters into his own hands, posing as his daughter on TikTok. The man reportedly lured 20-year-old Diego Montoya Gonzalez back to his family’s home and shot the alleged predator twice.
Montoya Gonzalez survived the shooting and now faces multiple felonies. Police also arrested Chandler, who faces a felony.
Montoya Gonzalez reportedly responded to Chandler’s messages.
According to prosecutors, when the child’s mother called 911 to report the video, she did not know the suspect’s name. Chandler used his daughter’s TikTok account to message the suspect and lure him to the residence, claiming the child was home alone.
Chandler reportedly told police that his intention was to beat Montoya Gonzalez up and then call police. But the 20-year-old allegedly reached into his pocket, which made Chandler suspicious he had a gun. The 31-year-old father allegedly drew his weapon and shot twice.
Police arrived on the scene a short time later.
According to court documents obtained by WSYK, police arrived at the family’s home on Parlin Drive in Grove City just after 6 p.m. on July 16 following the shooting.
They took Chandler into custody and transported Montoya Gonzalez to Grant Medical Center for treatment of his wounds. Neighbor Terrie Shirkey told the news station Chandler became visibly upset after learning about the abuse allegations, but he never suspected what happened next.
“I can see why he went after him. I’m not saying it’s right, but that at least makes some sense. It wasn’t a senseless thing. If it’s not, that means we’ve got a predator, and that scares the crap out of me,” Shirkey said.
Chandler received a higher bond than Montoya Gonzalez.
Much to many people’s shock, a Franklin County Municipal Court judge gave Montoya Gonzalez a $20,000 recognizance bond and a $50,000 cash/surety bond for one count of rape and one count of obstructing official business in connection with the foot chase, per WBNS. Chandler is being held on a $100,000 bond, WSYK reported.
Plenty of people think that the father did nothing wrong trying to protect his daughter. The case ignited a firestorm of conversation on social media.
“They let the child rapist out on bond as long as he promised to stay away from the victim. What an age we live in,” one person commented.
“What the actual f—? The child rapist has a lower bond than the dad who was literally just being a good dad and got arrested for it? Give the dad a trophy and some free range time so next time he doesn’t miss,” another person shared.
Others understood the dad’s emotions, but did not approve the shooting.
“Boy, is it tough to not side with the father. We can’t condone it. But it is impossible to put ourselves in the Shoes of someone finding their child being raped. It seems like we would all be taken over by a temporary insanity,” a comment reads.
