Authorities in Atlanta have arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 4-year-old girl during a domestic violence incident at an apartment complex in the city’s southwest area.

According to the Atlanta Police Department, detectives with the department’s Homicide Unit established probable cause and obtained arrest warrants for 34-year-old Rashad Dixon.

Family members have confirmed that Dixon is the father of the victim, 4-year-old Zuri Dixon.

Dixon is currently in custody and faces multiple charges, including murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, cruelty to children in the first degree, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, false imprisonment, two counts of criminal damage to property, and simple assault.

Police say officers were dispatched at approximately 11:30 p.m. on March 14 to an apartment in the 1930 block of Alison Court SW after receiving a report of a fight in progress.

Upon arrival, officers encountered a woman outside the residence who reported that a violent dispute was taking place inside the apartment.

Because the door to the unit was locked, responding officers forced entry through a window in order to gain access and intervene.

Once inside, officers encountered a man holding the injured child. Police said officers employed de-escalation tactics and were able to safely remove the child from the suspect’s custody.

According to Lt. Christopher Butler, the child appeared to be suffering from severe injuries, including multiple lacerations.

Emergency medical personnel transported the child to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Hughes Spalding, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

Police said the man who had been holding the child—later identified as Rashad Dixon—was taken into custody at the scene. He was subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment of apparent lacerations to his body before being formally booked on the charges.

The tragic death of the young child has left neighbors in the community shaken.

One resident, Javohn Hamilton, said he initially heard what sounded like an argument before police arrived.

According to Hamilton, the situation initially appeared to be a typical dispute until the sound of breaking glass and a child screaming made it clear that the situation had escalated into something far more serious.

Another neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said she had previously known the child’s mother from a time when they had stayed at the same shelter.

She stated that the mother had reportedly experienced domestic violence in the past and described the child’s death as heartbreaking.

Investigators continue working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident, including what led to the violent confrontation inside the apartment.

Authorities say the investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional information may be released as the case progresses.