Police confirm dog died during shooting in Clairton

WEST GROVE, PA – The Chester County District Attorney’s Office, along with Chester County Detectives, announced the arrest of 30-year-old Enrique Lopez Gomez of West Grove, Pennsylvania, in connection with the tragic death of a 21-month-old child. Gomez faces multiple charges, including third-degree murder and manslaughter.

The incident that led to the arrest occurred on June 24, 2024. At approximately 10:58 p.m., authorities received a 911 call reporting an unresponsive child in a residence in the 600 block of Cope Road, Kennett Township. Emergency services arrived on the scene and found the child’s mother exiting the home carrying the child wrapped in a blanket. The child had no pulse, had white foam coming from his nose and mouth, and visible bruising on his body.

The toddler was immediately taken to Nemours/AI DuPont Hospital for Children, but unfortunately could not be resuscitated there. Shortly after arrival, on June 25, 2024 at 12:16 a.m., the child was pronounced dead. An autopsy later confirmed the cause of death: blunt force trauma to the abdomen.

District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe described the circumstances as heartbreaking, emphasizing the severity of the injuries sustained under Gomez’s care. After a joint investigation by local authorities, it was determined that the injuries that led to the child’s death were allegedly caused by Gomez.

Magistrate District Judge Matthew Seavey has set bail for Gomez at $10,000,000 cash. This case has deeply affected the community and Chester County Detectives, Kennett Township Police Department and Southern Chester County Police Department are currently continuing to investigate further to further examine the events that led to the tragic incident.