A 6-year-old boy was murdered by his father, identified as Clemons, along with his mother, Brittney C. Harmon, in a domestic violence incident at approximately 7:45 p.m. on a Tuesday in March 2022 at a Bloomington, Illinois apartment complex in the 1000 block of Four Seasons Road. After killing his son and spouse, the suspect fatally shot himself, making it a double homicide-suicide. Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington described the incident as "a worst case scenario of domestic violence."
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The news article explicitly states: "Police said the suspect then fatally shot himself." This confirms a firearm was present and used during the incident. Given this was a murder-suicide, the firearm was part of the overall incident in which the child was killed.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The news article states that "A press release from law enforcement accused Clemons of murdering his 6-year-old son and his spouse, Brittney C. Harmon, in a domestic violence situation." Murder inherently involves inflicted injury. Additionally, the article notes the suspect "fatally shot himself," implying firearms were used in the incident, though the specific method of killing the child is not explicitly stated.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
The news article describes Clemons murdering his 6-year-old son and spouse, and then states: "Police said the suspect then fatally shot himself." This is a clear murder-suicide incident.
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The news article states that law enforcement "accused Clemons of murdering his 6-year-old son and his spouse, Brittney C. Harmon." The child is identified as Clemons' own son, indicating a biological father was responsible for the death.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The news article explicitly and repeatedly references domestic violence. The article states the murders occurred "in a domestic violence situation" and quotes the police chief: "This is a worst case scenario of domestic violence." The chief further states: "Domestic violence is a serious issue in our community and the nation."
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The news article details that the perpetrator (Clemons) also killed the child's mother, Brittney C. Harmon, in the same incident, making this a double homicide followed by the perpetrator's suicide. The police chief explicitly noted the toll on first responders: "this horrific incident has been very difficult for our telecommunicators, patrol officers, crime scene investigators and detectives to experience." The perpetrator was never formally charged or arrested because he died at the scene by self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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