An Ohio father was arrested after allegedly posing as his 11-year-old daughter on TikTok to lure a man accused of sexually assaulting her back to the family's home, where he shot the 20-year-old suspect twice. The father, Malik Chandler, 31, now faces a felony assault charge and is held on a $100,000 bond. The accused, Diego Montoya Gonzalez, has been indicted on multiple child sexual abuse charges, including rape and possession of child sexual abuse material, and has pleaded not guilty.
Investigation began with disturbing video discovery
The case began on July 15 when the girl's mother contacted authorities after finding a video on her daughter's phone that prosecutors described as showing sexual conduct involving the child. According to investigators, the discovery triggered a chain of events leading to both criminal cases in Grove City, Ohio.
Prosecutors said Chandler logged into TikTok, posed as his daughter, and communicated with Gonzalez, inviting him to the family's home. When Gonzalez arrived, Chandler shot him twice. Police responded to the scene and found Gonzalez in a chair with two gunshot wounds; he was taken to Grant Medical Center in Columbus for treatment.
Father claims he didn't intend to shoot
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.
Following the incident, prosecutors charged Chandler with felony assault. A judge set his bond at $100,000. The case has drawn widespread attention, with both men now facing separate criminal proceedings in Franklin County, Ohio.
Accused faces multiple felony charges
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 sexual abuse of children on his phone, including one involving an infant or toddler. As part of his bail conditions, Gonzalez has been ordered to have no contact with the girl or her family and is prohibited from using the internet except for work-related purposes if released. A judge set a $20,000 recognizance bond alongside a $50,000 cash bond in Gonzalez's case.
Community reaction mixed
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."
The two cases are expected to continue separately as both men face criminal proceedings in Ohio.
