A Banning police officer carries the 2-year-old boy found at the scene of a triple homicide. (Photo Credit: Guy McCarthy) |
BANNING, Calif. (KTLA) -- Authorities are searching for suspects after a 2-year-old boy was found bound and gagged at the scene of a triple homicide in Banning.
Three victims -- Demetrius Hunt, 42, Natasha Biggers, 33, and Yvonne Ward, 57 -- were discovered at around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday at a home on the corner of Phillips and Williams streets, police said. Hunt and Biggers were the boys' parents, police added.
The boy was initially thought to be missing, and officers searched the house for him to no avail.
An officer outside the home heard crying and later found the child bound with tape and gagged in a room behind a converted bathroom. Police speculated that the suspects may not have wanted to hurt the boy but wanted to keep him quiet.
The child, who may have passed out due to the heat, was in good condition, police said. He was treated at a local hospital.
Police said the three victims lived together and were friends.
Hunt was a known drug dealer and family members speculated that his line of work led to his death, investigators said.
The child was expected to be placed in protective custody.
Police say they do not suspect a murder-suicide.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at (951) 922-3170.
Three victims -- Demetrius Hunt, 42, Natasha Biggers, 33, and Yvonne Ward, 57 -- were discovered at around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday at a home on the corner of Phillips and Williams streets, police said. Hunt and Biggers were the boys' parents, police added.
The boy was initially thought to be missing, and officers searched the house for him to no avail.
An officer outside the home heard crying and later found the child bound with tape and gagged in a room behind a converted bathroom. Police speculated that the suspects may not have wanted to hurt the boy but wanted to keep him quiet.
The child, who may have passed out due to the heat, was in good condition, police said. He was treated at a local hospital.
Police said the three victims lived together and were friends.
Hunt was a known drug dealer and family members speculated that his line of work led to his death, investigators said.
The child was expected to be placed in protective custody.
Police say they do not suspect a murder-suicide.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at (951) 922-3170.
