The mother of a three-year-old boy killed during a police shootout with his father in Las Vegas has accused officers of causing his death. Raneka Pate, 28, claims police bullets killed her son, Kentre, despite authorities saying the father fired the fatal shot.
Police say Quinton Baker, 28, kidnapped Kentre from his mother's home early on February 3 and later engaged officers in a shootout. Body camera footage shows Baker aiming a gun at his son's chest before officers opened fire. Baker died at the scene, and Kentre was struck in the head by a bullet from his father's gun, according to detectives.
Pate told the Las Vegas Review-Journal: 'There was a plethora of bullets... They are trying to play damage control, but they will pay for killing my son.' She described Kentre as 'pure sunshine in human form' and said the family's hearts are 'broken beyond words.'
Officers Jonathan Lo and Damon O'Donnell have been placed on paid administrative leave pending a review. A GoFundMe page set up by family to cover funeral expenses describes Kentre's love for marine life and his playful spirit.
