In a shocking case of vigilante justice, a 31-year-old Ohio father has been arrested for shooting a man he suspected of raping his 11-year-old daughter, after luring the alleged attacker using a TikTok account disguised as the young girl. The incident has raised complex questions about parental desperation, the limits of self-defense, and the ongoing trauma of sexual assault cases.
Shooting Outside Grove City Home
Malik Chandler, from Grove City, Ohio, is accused of shooting Diego Montoya Gonzalez outside his home on July 16. Police responded to the scene and found Gonzalez suffering from two gunshot wounds. He was transported to Grant Medical Center in Columbus for treatment. Gonzalez survived the attack and was subsequently arrested as well.
According to the Grove City Police Department, the shooting was not a random act of violence but the culmination of a deeply troubling series of events. The police were already involved with Chandler's family prior to the shooting, following their report that their 11-year-old daughter had been raped.
Disturbing Footage Found on Daughter's Phone
On July 15, investigators found footage on the daughter's phone that allegedly showed the sexual assault. The discovery prompted an ongoing investigation, but Chandler, reportedly frustrated with the pace of the legal process, decided to take matters into his own hands.
Court documents reveal that Chandler created a TikTok account pretending to be his daughter and used it to contact Gonzalez, whom he suspected of being the perpetrator. He allegedly arranged to meet Gonzalez at his home, intending to confront him. Chandler told detectives that his plan was to lure Montoya into his home and beat him up until police arrived.
Claim of Self-Defense
However, the situation escalated rapidly. Chandler claims that when Gonzalez arrived, he reached for his pocket, leading Chandler to believe he was reaching for a gun. Fearing for his life, Chandler shot him twice. The defense of self-defense is likely to be a central point in the upcoming legal proceedings.
When police arrived at the scene, they found Gonzalez injured, sitting in a chair. He was taken to the hospital, while Chandler was taken to the Grove City Police Department facility, where he gave a detailed statement about the alleged sexual assault and the events leading up to the shooting.
Gonzalez Arrested and Charged
Diego Montoya Gonzalez was arrested and charged with rape, pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, and obstructing official business, according to the New York Post. He pleaded not guilty in a Franklin County Common Pleas Court and was granted a $20,000 recognizance bond and a $50,000 cash bond. The charges against him are serious, and the case is now proceeding through the criminal justice system.
Chandler's Criminal History
Court records show that Malik Chandler has a criminal history. In 2021, he was charged with strangling his girlfriend until she lost consciousness, but that charge was dismissed. In 2017, he was convicted of attempted breaking and entering, a misdemeanor in Ohio, which did not prohibit him from legally owning a firearm. This history may impact how the court views his actions and his credibility as a witness.
Chandler is currently being held on a $100,000 bond. The case has sparked debate about the lengths a parent might go to protect their child, and the legal consequences of taking the law into one's own hands.
The police have emphasized that while they understand the emotional distress of the family, they urge the public to trust the legal process and allow law enforcement to handle such cases. The investigation is ongoing, and both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
