Cops: Dad on the run after fatally shooting 8-month-old son while in mother's arms

A Missouri man is on the run after an argument with his wife turned deadly for their 8-month-old son, police say.

St. Louis police believe Diata Crockett, 35, shot at his wife Tuesday, but hit their little boy, Reign, instead.

The alleged shooting occurred as police say Crockett's wife tried to flee from a slowing vehicle.

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Reign later died at a hospital as Crockett allegedly fled with his other two children, briefly setting off a frenzied search.

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Reign's brothers, ages 2 and 3, were found unharmed several hours later at a family member's home in a St. Louis suburb, KMOV reports.

Hours later, the suspect's black 2014 Hyundai Sonata was recovered, St. Louis police said.

As the search for Crockett continued Tuesday and into Wednesday, his mother issued a desperate plea to her son.

"You need to turn yourself in," his mother, Casetta Crockett, told reporters. "Talk to your attorney and come in ASAP. You have to set the record straight.

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"We know you love your kids and you would never hurt them, so we know this was a horrible accident. You have to come in, if nothing else, you have to come in for your other kids."

St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson said Crockett made suicidal and homicidal threats against himself and his family prior to the shooting.

Police believe Crockett remains a danger to himself and others.

"He's armed, he's considered dangerous, and he's used violence not only today but in the past," Dotson told reporters.

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