Ohio father allegedly posed as daughter on TikTok to lure accused rapist before shooting him

The man faces multiple felony charges while investigators separately examine the father’s actions during the alleged confrontation.

A Grove City, Ohio father is facing felony charges after allegedly using TikTok to draw the man accused of sexually assaulting his 11-year-old daughter to his home and then shooting him.

Malik Chandler, 31, is charged with felonious assault and having weapons under disability after police say he opened fire on Diego Montoya Gonzalez outside his Parlin Drive apartment on July 16, according to WSYX/ABC 6. Gonzalez was hit twice and rushed to Grant Medical Center.

The shooting came less than 24 hours after Grove City officers first responded to Chandler’s home to investigate reports that his young daughter had been sexually assaulted. Investigators say once Chandler learned of the allegations, he began messaging the suspect through TikTok, allegedly using the platform to set up a meeting under false pretenses that put Gonzalez at his front door.

Court records reviewed by ABC 6 say Chandler admitted the plan was never meant to end in gunfire — he told investigators he wanted to lure the man in, confront him, hold him for police. Instead, Chandler said he panicked when Gonzalez reached into his pocket, fearing a weapon, and pulled the trigger.

A neighbor, Terrie Shirkey, told the outlet she understood the impulse even if she couldn’t condone it, saying it wasn’t senseless if it meant confronting a predator.

Nearly a week later, Grove City police confirmed they’d tracked down and arrested Gonzalez after he fled from officers, according to a separate ABC 6 report. He now faces one count of rape and two counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor.

Chandler was jailed on a $100,000 bond. During Montoya’s arraignment, the judge set a $20,000 recognizance bond and a $50,000 cash bond, and required him to maintain no contact with the child or family and can only use the internet for work purposes.

The case has stirred a familiar, painful debate in communities across the country: what happens when a parent believes the system won’t move fast enough to protect their child — and takes matters into their own hands instead.