A New Jersey dad was killed while attempting to defend his teenage daughter during a confrontation with a father-son pair, who allegedly beat him to death.
New Jersey dad killed
The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement announcing that charges had been filed against 55-year-old Eric Hannah and his 17-year-old son, referred to as J.H., in the death of 54-year-old Louis “Gus” Serbeck.
Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae confirmed that both Hannah and his son were charged with homicide following a violent altercation that occurred on Easter Sunday.
Investigators revealed that Serbeck and his daughter traveled to Hannah’s home to address accusations that J.H. had assaulted the teenager the previous day.
The prosecutor’s office detailed that Serbeck’s daughter was allegedly attacked by J.H. on Saturday, leading Serbeck to accompany her to the residence the next day.
Once at the home, Serbeck encountered J.H. at the front door, where a physical fight erupted.
During the scuffle, J.H. reportedly sustained injuries to his face but retaliated by repeatedly striking Serbeck’s head with a metal baseball bat, authorities said.
Prosecutors stated that Hannah joined in the violence, allegedly hitting Serbeck in the back of the head with a flashlight.
Serbeck’s daughter was also reportedly injured by J.H. during the incident.
Emergency personnel responded rapidly, transporting Serbeck toward a hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries while still en route.
Both Hannah and his son were apprehended the same day. Hannah faces charges of homicide, aggravated assault, conspiracy, and multiple weapons violations. He remains held without bond at Cumberland County Jail.
Meanwhile, J.H. was charged with homicide and weapons offenses and is being detained at a juvenile facility. It remains uncertain whether J.H. will be tried as an adult.
In addition to the homicide charges, J.H. faces an aggravated assault charge stemming from the original alleged attack on Serbeck’s daughter.
Ohio dad killed protecting son
In a separate case in Ohio, authorities say a dad was killed while trying to rescue his 12-year-old son from an alleged unlawful detention by another set of parents.
Norman Duncan, 37, a father of five, became involved in an altercation on April 14 after his son and another boy got into a fight in a Cleveland neighborhood, according to local outlet WJW.
The parents of the other boy, identified as Marvin Atkins, 46, and Ann Marie Clayton, 43, allegedly restrained Duncan’s son against his will.
Upon arriving at the scene to retrieve his son, Duncan got into a physical confrontation with Atkins.
Authorities reported that during the struggle, Clayton allegedly struck Duncan in the head with a brick.
Duncan managed to break free and attempted to leave the area with his son.
However, police say Atkins and Clayton got into their Chevy Impala, drove onto a curb, and deliberately ran down Duncan while he was walking away.
Following the collision, the suspects reportedly fled the scene. Duncan’s son, according to family members speaking to WJW, placed the 911 call for help.
Duncan was transported to a hospital but was pronounced dead later that day.
Law enforcement officers located Atkins and Clayton at a nearby residence and arrested them last week.
They now both face charges of vehicular manslaughter, according to WKYC.
Father and son accused of slaying boy’s mother
In Colorado, a father and son are facing serious charges after allegedly murdering the boy’s mother just hours after she announced plans to seek full custody of his younger brother.
Charles Martinez, 43, and his 17-year-old son, Hevon Martinez, were both charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of 38-year-old Chrystal Snow.
According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Snow had informed both Charles and Hevon that she would be filing for full custody the next day.
Investigators said the pair made final attempts to persuade her not to proceed, but after those efforts failed, they allegedly drove to her Pagosa Springs home in the early morning hours of July 2.
Neighbors reported hearing gunshots around 2:20 a.m. Evidence suggests that one round was fired through the front window before Snow fled to her bedroom bathroom, where she was shot multiple times.
Though she managed to call 911, first responders found her dead at the scene. She suffered gunshot wounds to her arm, chest, and leg.
Investigators believe the suspects traveled to and from the crime scene in a white Ford Explorer belonging to Charles Martinez’s mother.
Surveillance footage captured their movements the night of the murder.
Authorities also recovered a .40 caliber pistol believed to have been used in the attack, although it remains unclear who fired the fatal shots.
Witnesses, including a domestic violence advocate who had been in contact with Snow, told investigators that Charles and Hevon had made past threats against her.
Court documents revealed a pattern of abuse, including an incident where Hevon allegedly placed his hands around Snow’s throat and threatened her life.
Snow had previously obtained a restraining order against Charles Martinez following their separation in late 2023.
Officials described the killing as a premeditated act, based on evidence gathered during their investigation.
Hevon Martinez was arrested days later after allegedly firing a handgun during a Fourth of July event in Cortez, Colorado.
