A 16-month-old girl was tragically killed, and her two brothers hospitalized following a violent domestic episode in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The children’s father, who had abducted them amid a family dispute, instigated a fatal crash after a police pursuit that crossed state borders.

The Virginia Beach Police were alerted to a stabbing incident at a residence on Jay Are Court on the evening of August 14, 2024. Upon arrival, they discovered a woman and her 12-year-old daughter with serious stab injuries. Both victims were rushed to a hospital where they were reported stable. The suspect was identified as 36-year-old Dana Plummer, the woman’s former spouse, and the child’s stepfather.

Plummer absconded from the scene with his three children, Zayin, aged seven, Zayir, aged five, and Za’riyah, aged 16 months. An Amber Alert was promptly issued with the authorities expressing extreme concern for the children’s safety. Plummer was last seen driving a black 2024 Honda Passport SUV.

The following day, a civilian spotted the vehicle detailed in the Amber Alert and notified the police. Virginia State Police attempted to apprehend Plummer on Interstate 95 in Fairfax County, Virginia, but he refused to stop, triggering a high-speed pursuit that extended into Maryland.

Plummer lost control of his SUV on Interstate 495 in Prince George’s County, Maryland, colliding with two cars before flipping over. Za’riyah was critically injured in the crash and airlifted to a Washington, D.C. hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Her brothers were also hospitalized but are reported to be in stable condition. There were no injuries reported from the other drivers involved in the crash.

Injured in the crash, Plummer was apprehended at the scene and transported to the hospital. He faces several charges in Virginia, including two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, three counts of parental abduction, and domestic assault. Maryland authorities are also considering further charges related to the crash.

According to court documents, Plummer has a history of mental health issues, including suspected paranoid schizophrenia. Earlier in 2024, he handed over several firearms to authorities following an episode where he allegedly believed he was under surveillance and his digital devices were compromised.

Plummer was discharged from the Navy just a couple of weeks before the incident. Despite his mental health struggles, he was granted shared custody of his kids with his former wife.

The investigation into the abduction and subsequent crash continues, as the authorities in Virginia and Maryland collaborate to ascertain the full extent of the charges to be brought against Plummer.