The family of Tatiana David has set up a GoFundMe campaign to support her autistic four-year-old son after she was tragically killed during a shootout between Virginia police and her abductor, Michael Davis, on April 5.
Davis, the child’s father and David’s former romantic partner, has been charged with one felony count of abduction, with the possibility of additional charges. The fundraiser aims to raise $20,000 and has already collected nearly half of the goal.
On the morning of April 5, Davis allegedly forced David into a vehicle and attempted to take her to his residence near Richmond, Virginia. Later that evening, police pulled over Davis for improper vehicle registration but did not realize he was wanted for David’s abduction until the officer returned to his police car to verify Davis’ identity.
A high-speed chase ensued, ending in two crashes and a gunfight between Davis and the police. Tatiana David, who was in the vehicle at the time, was fatally struck by gunfire.
Although initial reports suggested that Davis might have shot David before the police opened fire, her family disputes this version of events. Emanuel Espada, David’s brother, believes that she was killed by police during the shootout, as she was in the backseat of the vehicle, which was riddled with bullets. The family, still grieving the loss of another sibling two years prior, is now focused on ensuring that David’s son reaches his full potential in her memory.
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