4-year-old dies after being beaten by father with guitar

PHOENIX (KYMA, KECY)- Police killed a man last week after he brutally assaulted his four-year-old and mother with a guitar.

12 News reports the suspect, 33-year-old Joshua David Hernandez Lord, struck his son in the head causing numerous skull fractures.

The Clarkdale Police Department said Lord also struck his 51-year-old mother in the head, fracturing her skull as well.

After police responded to the scene, Lord carried the guitar used to assault his son and mother during the encounter. At one point, he grabbed a knife and used it to threaten the police.

"Officer Godina continued his attempts to deescalate the situation, all while keeping the suspect in the residence and protecting the injured boy," police said Monday. 

Lord eventually "aggressed" Godina, forcing him to use lethal force. Lord was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Reports said the four-year-old died last Friday and no other information was released.