In a heart-wrenching incident that unfolded on Monday night, a 5-year-old girl named Dariyah A. Lathan lost her life tragically due to a fatal gunshot wound. The Belleville community is left in shock and mourning following this devastating event.
Dariyah A. Lathan Cause Of Death
The vibrant life of young Dariyah A. Lathan was abruptly cut short on that fateful evening. According to the St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr., the 5-year-old girl was pronounced dead at 7:16 p.m. at Belleville’s Memorial Hospital. This senseless tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for community safety and vigilance.
The Belleville Police Department’s Assistant Chief Mark Heffernan provided details about the immediate response to the incident. Officers were swiftly dispatched to a residence in the first block of S. 88th Street at 6:31 p.m., where they commenced their investigation into the incident.
“Upon arrival, officers spotted a vehicle connected to the residence speeding eastbound on West Main Street,” Chief Heffernan stated. “This vehicle was determined to be transporting the victim to the hospital.”
Despite the heroic life-saving efforts put forth by medical professionals at Memorial Hospital, young Dariyah’s injuries were tragically too severe to overcome. Chief Heffernan confirmed that the brave girl succumbed to her wounds within the hospital premises. The community’s outpouring of support and condolences underscores the shared grief felt by all.
In the wake of this heartrending incident, Belleville police detectives have joined forces with the Child Death Investigation Task Force, the St. Clair County Coroner’s Office, and the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office. This multi-agency collaboration aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and ensure justice for Dariyah A. Lathan.
As the investigation is still in its nascent stages, Chief Heffernan has conveyed that only limited information can be disclosed at this point. However, he also emphasized that investigators do not believe there to be a threat at large in relation to this case. The community’s unity and resilience will undoubtedly play a crucial role in supporting the ongoing investigation and in preventing such tragedies in the future.