California father accused of killing his 8-year-old daughter in suspected murder-suicide

MODESTO, Calif. (TCD) — A 50-year-old father allegedly fatally shot his 8-year-old daughter before turning the gun on himself this week after the girl’s mother filed a restraining order against him.

According to a news release from the Modesto Police Department, on Wednesday, July 12, officers responded to a home in the 3700 block of Havenhurst Court to a report of a suicide attempt and saw an individual with a firearm through the window.

Officers tried to contact the man, Donavan Halstead, and he told them he was going to exit the home unarmed. However, police heard gunshots from inside the home and entered to find Halstead suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Inside the home, police also found Halstead’s daughter with an apparent gunshot wound, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. The girl was a student in the Sylvan Union School District, KCRA-TV reports.

Officials transported Halstead to a local hospital for treatment, and police announced Friday, July 14, that he died from his injuries.

According to the Modesto Bee, the girl’s mother filed a restraining order against Halstead on Monday, July 10, and a judge approved it Wednesday, July 12, the day of the shooting. She reportedly filed for divorce in April.

The mother reportedly moved out of the home this month while Halstead and their daughter were in Montana visiting family for the July 4 holiday.

While Halstead was in Montana, he allegedly used his home’s security cameras to watch their child’s mother move out, and he immediately drove back to California. According to the Modesto Bee, Halstead kept texting the woman during his drive.

The mother reportedly wrote in the petition, “Our daughter was hysterically crying in the vehicle as Halstead called me names, telling me I am ruining his life and our daughter’s life.”

The mother stopped answering Halstead’s calls, and he allegedly texted back, “This is on your hands.”

In the petition, the Modesto Bee reports the mother said Halstead owned two handguns and four rifles.

Additionally, the mother reportedly said Halstead had been verbally and physically abusive throughout their relationship.

According to the Modesto Bee, the mother wrote in the petition that one time, Halstead allegedly forced her to the ground during an argument, pinned her down, and confiscated her keys and phone, preventing her from leaving the house. On another occasion, he allegedly choked her. Their daughter was reportedly nearby during both incidents.

The mother had filed a restraining order against Halstead in 2016 as well, alleging he verbally and physically abused her by choking, pushing, and pinning her down.

In the 2016 petition, the mother reportedly wrote, “Halstead has told me he attempted suicide in the past, and I fear that he will harm us, and himself, given his erratic behavior.”

A spokesperson with the Modesto Police Department told the Modesto Bee the restraining orders are part of the investigation.