San Francisco, California – In the early hours of June 22, 2023, authorities received a distressing call reporting an ongoing aggravated assault at a residence on the 700 block of 31st Avenue. The incident involved 84-year-old Roland Child and his 37-year-old son, Marc Child. Roland claimed that Marc had taken the life of his 76-year-old mother, Barbara Lai Child, as well as their family dog. Responding swiftly to the call, an officer from Richmond Station arrived at the scene and engaged with Roland, who was positioned in the doorway.
As Officer Eduardo Villanueva cautiously ascended the stairs, he was confronted by Marc, who brandished a knife in a threatening manner, according to law enforcement officials. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, Marc continued to advance towards Villanueva, forcing the officer to6 discharge his firearm. Two shots were fired from outside the front door, striking Marc.
Immediately following the shooting, officers employed a ballistic shield to secure the area and administer medical aid. Unfortunately, Marc sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a local hospital.
In the aftermath, footage that was appropriately obscured to preserve the victim’s privacy revealed the officers conducting a thorough search of the residence, where the lifeless body of Barbara Child, along with the deceased family pet, were discovered. Roland Child, the father, was also transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries deemed non-life-threatening. It is important to note that Marc Child was legally adopted by his parents.
Court records shed light on a tumultuous history between Marc and his parents. In 2021, both Roland and Barbara had sought a restraining order against their son following a violent attack. At the time, Marc had been residing with his elderly parents. Additionally, in October 2019, a former girlfriend of Marc had filed a restraining order, alleging that he had assaulted her by striking her head at her residence in Orange County. She further claimed that Marc had later arrived uninvited at her home, persistently demanding entry. Subsequently, he made 40 phone calls from jail to the victim. Law enforcement officials confirmed that they had encountered Marc on multiple occasions over the years due to drug-related incidents and altercations with the authorities. A previous stay-away order involving the parents had also been issued at one point.
This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by families dealing with strained relationships and escalating conflicts. The investigation into the case is ongoing, as authorities work diligently to gather all pertinent details surrounding the events that transpired.
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