PHOENIX — A woman and baby have died after being shot on Monday, Phoenix Police Department officials said.
Ava Mouton, 11-months, and her mother Lanaé Mouton, 32, both died in a hospital after they were transported due to gunshot wounds, police said. The shooting happened near North 83rd Avenue and West Encanto Boulevard.
Police have detained Louis Mouton III, the father and husband of the victims, as the main suspect of the investigation.
Officers said they learned from the scene that Louis came to the house to talk with Lanaé about their estranged relationship. A short time later, Louis allegedly kicked in the door and fired several shots.
Lanae and Ava attempted to hide in a bedroom closet but Louis found them and allegedly fired multiple gunshots, according to a police report.
Louis was on the scene of the shooting when police arrived and officers heard him saying, "They made him do it."
Louis told investigators he allegedly attempted to shoot himself but his gun was out of ammunition.
The suspect further told investigators he suffered from mental health problems and would often be told to do things by "spirits and aliens," a police report states.
Louis was convicted in a California court in 2017 on a charge of corporal injury to spouse. He plead “no contest” to the domestic violence charge. Louis was ordered to complete a domestic violence batterers program and was sentenced to 26 days in jail and misdemeanor probation.
In 2018, Lanaé filed for divorce in California. At that time, she filed for a temporary restraining order against Louis.
Court paperwork showed that Louis failed to submit proof of completion from a batterer's treatment program. In 2019, his probation was revoked.
The victim's cousin, Stacey Mouton, described her as, "the kindest, sweetest person that I’ve ever met, and she didn’t deserve this. She deserved so much better than what happened to her.”
Along with Ava, Lanaé had three other kids.
This is a developing story and 12 News will provide updates as they become available.