An Ohio father has been arrested after allegedly posing as his 11-year-old daughter on TikTok to lure the man accused of sexually assaulting her back to the family home, where he shot the 20-year-old suspect twice. The father, 31-year-old Malik Chandler, now faces a felony assault charge and is being held on a $100,000 bond. The accused, Diego Montoya Gonzalez, has been indicted on multiple child sexual abuse charges and has pleaded not guilty.
Discovery of the Assault Video
The investigation began on July 15 when the girl's mother discovered a disturbing video on her daughter's phone that appeared to show sexual conduct involving the child. She immediately alerted authorities, according to prosecutors. The following day, Chandler allegedly logged into TikTok, posed as his daughter, and contacted Gonzalez, inviting him back to the family's home in Grove City, Ohio.
The Shooting Incident
When Gonzalez arrived at the home, Chandler shot him twice. Police responded to the scene and found Gonzalez sitting in a chair with two gunshot wounds. He was transported to Grant Medical Center in Columbus for treatment. During questioning, Chandler told investigators that his original plan was not to kill or seriously injure Gonzalez. According to court documents, he intended to beat him up, hold him until police arrived, and then hand him over to authorities. However, Chandler claimed he believed Gonzalez was reaching for a gun, prompting him to grab a firearm from the kitchen counter and open fire.
Charges Against Both Men
Following the incident, prosecutors charged Chandler with felony assault. A judge set his bond at $100,000. Meanwhile, a Franklin County grand jury indicted Gonzalez on five counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, two counts of rape, and one count of obstruction of official business. Court records show Gonzalez pleaded not guilty during his arraignment. Prosecutors also alleged they found multiple videos showing the sexual abuse of children on his phone, including one involving an infant or toddler.
Bail Conditions and Community Reaction
As part of his bail conditions, Gonzalez has been ordered to have no contact with the girl or her family. He is also prohibited from using the internet except for work-related purposes if released from custody. A judge set a $20,000 recognizance bond alongside a $50,000 cash bond in Gonzalez's case. The shooting has sparked mixed reactions online and within the local community. One neighbor told WSYX she understood the father's emotional reaction, even though she did not support taking the law into his own hands. "I can see why he went after him," she said. "I'm not saying it's right, but that at least makes some sense. It wasn't a senseless thing."
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The two cases are expected to continue separately as both men face criminal proceedings in Ohio. The case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting the complexities of vigilante justice and the serious nature of child sexual abuse allegations.
