Father Of Slain 8-Year-Old Confronts Suspect

INDIANAPOLIS -- The father of a slain 8-year-old girl was forcibly removed from a courtroom Tuesday after he confronted a man who police say fatally shot her.

Police said Christopher Hitchings (pictured), father of Karissa Hitchings, tried to leap over a railing to get to Emmanuel McClendon Jr., who was attending a hearing, 6News' Derrik Thomas reported.

Hitchings yelled, "You animal," repeatedly before he made his move. Video from 6News shows deputies forcing Hitchings out of the courtroom. Hitchings went to the floor as they continued to restrain him.

"My baby!" Hitchings yelled. "We didn't do nothing to him!"

Deputies then escorted the girl's mother, Laura Hitchings, out of the courtroom after she traded words with McClendon's family on the other side of the aisle. Neither Hitchings was charged.

McClendon's sister, Nikita Allen, was taken into custody and charged with a preliminary misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct, police said. She refused to follow the deputies' instructions, police said, and was booked into the Marion County Jail.

McClendon was arrested Saturday morning in connection with the Friday night slaying. Police said someone fired at least 10 rounds into a house at 2317 White Ave., and Karissa Hitchings was struck in the head as she slept on a couch.

In the courtroom Tuesday, a deputy sensed something was about to happen and drew a Taser gun just before Christopher Hitchings tried to jump the rail, police said. However, the deputy didn't use the Taser.

"He said there was a hesitation by Mr. Hitchings and decided it was not the best place and proximity to use a Taser," said Kerry Forestal, the Marion County sheriff's chief deputy. "He put it back and put his hands on him to put him back over the railing. He also knew who (Hitchings) was, and the last thing he wanted to do was Taser the ... victim's family."

Christopher Hitchings apologized for his behavior, Forestal said.

"It's very understandable with the intense drama that has occurred in their life," Forestal said. "Neither deputy said that at any time did they intend to make an arrest."

Prosecutors were granted three extra days to determine what charges to file against McClendon.

In an interview with 6News Monday, Christopher Hitchings said he had known McClendon for a long time and that false information caused McClendon to begin holding a grudge against him about a year ago.