We’ve lost another life due to senseless gun violence, and it all played out right on social media.
Merrick McKoy, 22, posted the above photo on Facebook before shooting his 1-year-old daughter Mia and himself Monday morning in Westminster, Co.
McKoy, who documented most of the events on Facebook 24 hours before the shooting, killed his daughter in his ex-girlfriend Kimphone “Kim” Phanthavongsa’s apartment after she broke up with him.
Kim awoke Monday morning to McKoy pointing a gun at her. The two got into an argument, which resulted in Kim leaving to find help. The 21-year-old called the police shortly after to tell them McKoy locked himself and their daughter in her apartment. By the time police arrived, McKoy had shot himself and his 1-year-old. Mia was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital.
This was his final status on Facebook before the shooting:
The couple had issues in the past, resulting in a restraining ordered that required McKoy to stay away from Kim’s home:
McKoy was arrested by Westminster police on Sept. 27 in a domestic violence incident Kim Phanthavongsa. He was charged with assault, burglary, trespassing and telephone harassment, according to court records. An Adams County judge issued a mandatory protection order on Sept. 30, the same day McKoy was released from jail after posting $20,000 bond.
McKoy’s current condition is unknown. We hope the young mother and her family heal from this horrible tragedy.
