A New York family’s Montana holiday was cut tragically short after a man rammed his car into them while they were walking near the entrance to the Glacier National Park. The driver then proceeded to open fire on the family, including a toddler, killing two before the baby’s aunt put an end to his rampage by killing the assailant.
The incident took place at around 9 pm on Sunday 17 July 2022 with authorities identifying the attacker as 37-year-old Derick Madden from Goldsby, Oklahoma. Madden opened fire with a shotgun, killing David Siau, 39, who was visiting from Pompey, New York.
Madden then turned his weapon on the rest of the fleeing family, fatally injuring 18-month-old McKenzie and critically wounding McKenzie’s mother, Christy Siau, who ultimately survived the attack. David and Christy had just celebrated their ten year wedding anniversary in June.
After running out of ammunition, Madden pulled out a knife and set his sights on McKenzie’s aunt, Christina Siau, who also happened to be his ex-girlfriend. Despite being critically injured, Chistina managed to fight off her attacker, killing him at the scene and ending the onslaught.
The local sheriff’s office said in a statement posted on Facebook that it was an “isolated incident with a clear nexus between the victims and Madden.” Their investigation is ongoing and it is not yet clear what provoked the attack, other than Madden’s previous involvement with Christina and his unspecified “mental health issues.”
Jody Hickey, a spokesperson for Glacier County’s Sheriff Vernon “Napi” Billedeaux, said that Christina had been living in East Glacier where her family had been visiting. Madden had recently started working in East Glacier, a gateway town situated near the wilderness area, according to Hickey.
Up until 2013, Madden had been a member of the Oklahoma National Guard, but had no further contact with the organisation since then, said Lieutenant Colonel Geoff Legler, a spokesman for the guard. Colonel Legler confirmed that Madden was a chemical operations specialist, adding that he did not know him personally.
On Wednesday 20 July, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a video statement from David’s father, John Siau. He repeated what he had told his other children.
“Grieve, be sad, but don’t harbour anger about what has happened,” he said, “because what we have seen is actually the result of somebody who has harboured anger in his own life and allowed it to fester and grow and develop into something very terrible and unspeakable.” He went on to quote passages from the Lord’s Prayer and added, “Our goal is to forgive.”
In the disastrous wake of the Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park, pictures of a curly-haired toddler named Aiden McCarthy started circulating across social media platforms—accompanied by pleas to help identify the two-year-old who was found wandering the scene bloodied and alone.
As people sought to reunite him with his family, news emerged that his parents, 35-year-old Irina and 37-year-old Kevin, were among the seven people killed in the tragedy.
On 5 July, McCarthy’s grandfather, Michael Levberg, told the Chicago Tribune that they were eventually reunited after the toddler was taken to the local police station. “When I picked him up, he said, ‘Are mommy and daddy coming soon?’” Levberg said. “He doesn’t understand.”
It was later revealed that McCarthy was shielded from the gunfire by his father in a final act of heroism as the wounded man lay dying. According to US Senator Tammy Duckworth, McCarthy “was pulled out from underneath his father, who was still bleeding, by good Samaritans.”
RT @ElementarySage: @itsJeffTiedrich Separated from parents during Highland Park shooting. Anyone recognize?
— Big 8 News by David (@big8news) July 4, 2022
If you know this child or have information please contact Highland Park Il Police on their non emergency number (847) 432-7730 #Illinois pic.twitter.com/8KhtdWdeZM
On the same day he was reunited with his grandfather, an organiser called Irina Colon set up a GoFundMe donation page for McCarthy with permission from the family. “At two years old, Aiden is left in the unthinkable position; to grow up without his parents,” the page reads. “On behalf of his family, and with their permission, I am establishing this fundraiser to support him and the caregivers who will be tasked with raising, caring for, and supporting Aiden as he and his support system embark on this unexpected journey.”
“Thank you for your generosity, kindness and support,” Colon added.
Set up with a goal of raising $500,000, the GoFundMe page has now garnered over $2.8 million in donations from over 52,600 people so far.
Remember this little boy found wandering alone after #HighlandPark parade? We’ve just found out why… both his parents were killed💔
— Marissa Parra (@MarParNews) July 5, 2022
A fundraiser has been started for Irina and Kevin McCarthy’s 2-yo son Aiden as he grows up without them
Link: https://t.co/qKc4mOVX2t @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/7fxYE3OoS4
“Sending condolences and support from Highland Park, New Jersey. That could have been my son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter,” a donor wrote under the ‘words of support’. “I hope you will one day be able to find peace within yourself and move forward in life. Your parents are superheroes, they protected you. Be strong and don’t keep your anger inside you little guy,” another added, while others went on to highlight how America has failed the two-year-old altogether.
Levberg also admitted that the whole family will be taking care of Aiden, but the toddler is still waiting for his mom and dad to come home. “He doesn’t know,” he told the Chicago Tribune. “He doesn’t realise it.”