ARIZONA NEWS

Suspect identified in Surprise police standoff case that involved baby shooting and house fire

May 18, 2024, 5:00 PM | Updated: May 21, 2024, 1:01 pm

PHOENIX — Authorities are investigating a house fire that broke out Friday afternoon after an armed standoff with a man accused of shooting a 6-month-old baby.

The suspect has been identified by police as 51-year-old Todd Christopher Marchetti. He was found dead inside of the residence where the standoff and fire took place, according to the Surprise Police Department.

Once it was safe to enter the house, authorities found the remains of Marchetti with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The 6-month-old baby is in critical but stable condition at a local hospital, authorities said.

Before the fire, multiple Valley police departments started negotiating with Marchetti, who had broken in to the residence, according to the Surprise Police Department.

The shooting and subsequent fire took place in a new housing development near Loop 303 and Cactus Road, police said.

Why was Marchetti accused of shooting a 6-month-old baby in Surprise?

Police responded to the scene at around 11:30 a.m. after the child’s mother called 911, according to Sgt. Rick Hernandez, a spokesperson with Surprise PD.

The woman said her child’s father held her and the baby hostage for several hours after he allegedly broke in at around 3 a.m.

She escaped alone and ran to a nearby construction crew, who helped her contact police. She then informed authorities the baby was alone with the suspect.

“She believed the baby was in danger,” Hernandez said. “Officers responded to the residence and, upon arrival, they heard multiple rounds of gunfire coming from inside the residence.”

Police officers didn’t make contact with the baby’s father and they didn’t discharge any weapons. Their sole focus was on rescuing the baby, Hernandez said.

“That baby sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was airlifted to a nearby hospital with serious injuries,” Hernandez said.

However, the injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening, police said.

The mother also had minor injuries. She was treated on the scene before being taken to the hospital to be with her child.

House fire started after armed standoff in West Valley

Police contacted multiple SWAT teams to negotiate with the baby’s father around 2 p.m. on Friday.

SWAT teams with Surprise PD, the Goodyear Police Department and the Peoria Police Department were on the scene.

At the same time, negotiators from Surprise PD, Goodyear PD and the Phoenix Police Department were negotiating with the suspect, Hernandez said.

The house fire started shortly after 3 p.m., police said. The suspect was inside when the fire started.

“Fire crews could not tend to the fire due to the possible threat and sounds of gunfire coming from inside the house,” Surprise police said in a news release.

Eventually, authorities were able to enter the house before discovering Marchetti’s body. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Buckeye Police Department will lead this investigation, Surprise PD said.

Family friends set up a GoFundMe campaign to encourage the public to help the family financially recover.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Gang member initiation...

Aaron Schmidt

Aspiring Phoenix gang member sentenced to prison for committing multiple murders

A Phoenix gang member has been sentenced to prison after committing multiple murders, authorities said on Friday.

4 hours ago

Donald Trump is leading Kamala Harris in Arizona's presidential race....

KTAR.com

Donald Trump closing in on victory over Kamala Harris in race for president in Arizona

Donald Trump moved closer to clinching a victory over Kamala Harris in the race for Arizona's 11 presidential electors on Friday evening.

4 hours ago

Kari Lake has been gaining ground on Ruben Gallego since Election Day in Arizona's Senate race....

KTAR.com

Republican Kari Lake pulls closer to Democrat Ruben Gallego in Arizona Senate race

Republican Kari Lake took yet another bite out of Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego's lead in the race for Arizona's open U.S. Senate seat on Friday evening.

4 hours ago

Arizona congressional races...

KTAR.com

Arizona’s 9 congressional seats are up for grabs; who is winning each race?

One Arizona congressional race remained highly competitive as of Thursday night, while the state's eight other U.S. House contests were pretty much settled.

5 hours ago

Arizona's 6th Congressional District 2024 election updates...

KTAR.com

Republican Juan Ciscomani neck and neck with Democrat Kirsten Engel in race for Arizona’s CD6

The race for Arizona Congressional District 6 between Rep. Juan Ciscomani and Democratic rival Kirsten Engel has been especially nail-biting.

5 hours ago

The five Maricopa County Board of Supervisors seats were up for grabs during the 2024 election....

KTAR.com

2 Maricopa County supervisor races remain tight, other 3 are blowouts

Two Maricopa County Board of Supervisors races remain too close to call, while the three other contests are blowouts.

5 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Morris Hall

West Hunsaker, through Morris Hall, supports Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona

KTAR’s Community Spotlight this month focuses on Morris Hall and its commitment to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona.

...

Midwestern University

Midwestern University Clinics – Providing Comprehensive, Thorough and Unrushed Healthcare to the Valley Community

With so many options for healthcare in the Valley, why should you choose a clinic that has graduate medical students integrated into the patient experience?

...

Dr. Shanyn Lancaster, Family & Sports Medicine physician, Midwestern University Comprehensive Care Clinic – Central Phoenix

Exercise is truly your best medicine

“You never slow down, you never grow old”. – Tom Petty

Suspect identified in Surprise police standoff case that involved baby shooting and house fire