A 37-year-old Ohio father of five tragically lost his life trying to save his 12-year-old son from a terrifying situation, authorities say.
According to Cleveland police, Norman Duncan rushed to a neighborhood on April 14 after learning that his young son had been allegedly held against his will by another set of parents following a fight between two boys. What began as a playground scuffle quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation.
Local station WJW reports that after Duncan’s son and another 12-year-old boy got into a fight, the other boy’s parents — identified as Marvin Atkins, 46, and Ann Marie Clayton, 43 — allegedly detained Duncan’s son instead of de-escalating the situation.
When Duncan arrived to rescue his child, a physical fight broke out between him and Atkins. Police say Clayton then struck Duncan in the head with a brick during the altercation.
Despite his injuries, Duncan managed to break free and tried to flee the area with his son. But the violence didn’t stop there.
According to investigators, as Duncan and his son were walking away, Atkins and Clayton allegedly got into their Chevy Impala, drove up onto the curb, and intentionally ran Duncan down before fleeing the scene.
Family members told WJW that it was Duncan’s brave 12-year-old son who immediately called 911 for help. Duncan was rushed to a nearby hospital, but sadly, he succumbed to his injuries later that day.
Police later located Atkins and Clayton at a nearby home. They were arrested and each charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter, WKYC reported.
In an emotional interview, one of Duncan’s grieving relatives described him as a true hero.
“They’re cowards — he wasn’t,” the family member said. “Norman was a heck of a guy.”
The tragedy has left the Cleveland community heartbroken, as a father who gave everything for his son is mourned as a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.