VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — On August 14, Dana Plummer abducted his three children from their home after stabbing his 12-year-old stepdaughter and the mother of his children multiple times.
Police found Plummer driving I-95 North in Fairfax County on August 15, which led to a police pursuit resulting in Plummer crashing the car, injuring himself and his children. The children were transported to a local hospital where the youngest child, Za’riyah Plummer, 1, was pronounced dead by hospital staff.
Watch: One-year-old dies, 2 children hospitalized after VB abduction ends in crash in Maryland
Here's a breakdown of everything we know as of Thursday night.
Wednesday, 8:48 p.m.
STABBING AND ABDUCTION OCCUR
Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) respond to a call about a stabbing on 908 Jay Are Court, where the mother of the children and ex-wife of Plummer answers the door suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Police instruct her to exit the house and sit down on the front porch, allowing them to investigate the scene.
Officers enter and discovered blood on the first floor. As they go upstairs, police find her 12-year-old daughter in a bed with severe stab wounds, VBPD said.
Watch: Father who abducted kids in VB stabbed their mother and his stepdaughter
The victims are then transported to a local hospital and are listed in stable condition, police said.
In addition to the stabbings, the police learned that the three children – Zayin Plummer, 7, Zayir Plummer, 5, and Za’riyah Plummer, 1 – have been abducted by their father Dana Plummer, 36, from their Virginia Beach home.
Thursday, 1:55 a.m.
CHARGES AND AMBER ALERT ISSUED
Police put out warrants for Plummer’s arrest and charge him with the following: two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, three counts of parental abduction, four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and domestic assault, VBPD shared.
The VBPD ask Virginia State Police (VSP) to issue an AMBER Alert for Zayin, Zayir, and Za’riyah.
Watch: Amber Alert issued for 3 children abducted from Virginia Beach Home
In the alert, state police identify Plummer as the abductor and describe him fleeing in a black Honda Passport with a temporary license Virginia plates that read 37550R.
Thursday, 8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
VEHICLE IDENTIFIED
Hours later, a driver along I-95 North in Fairfax County, Va. a citizen recognizes Plummer’s vehicle and the license plate number from the Virginia AMBER Alert and contacts VSP.
State troopers were then sent out and confirm that it was Plummer’s vehicle, according to VSP.
Troopers attempt a traffic stop, but Plummer fails to yield, police said, prompting a police pursuit that continued onto I-495 Maryland.
Thursday, around 9:00 a.m.
MARYLAND STATE POLICE ALERTED
A little before 9 a.m., VSP contact Maryland State Police (MDSP) for assistance with the pursuit, MDSP said.
Watch: 3 children hospitalized following crash on I-495
While fleeing, Plummer loses control of the vehicle, resulting in a three-car crash on I-495 North near Exit 7 to southbound on Branch Ave., when Plummer’s car overturns, according to MDSP.
Watch: Aerial footage shows scene following crash in Prince George's County
Thursday, 10:22 a.m.
MARYLAND STATE POLICE ON SCENE OF CRASH
MDSP report on X that they were at the crash scene.
Watch: Raw video of crash scene
Plummer and the three children are sent to local hospitals, MDSP said.
Thursday, 11:36 a.m.
AMBER ALERT CANCELED
After the crash, VSP cancel the Amber Alert.
Current Information
UPDATES FROM POLICE
One-year-old Za’riyah passed away from her injuries, police say.
Ziyan and Zayir were transported by ambulance to the Children’s National Hospital in Washington for treatment for their injuries, while Plummer was sent to Capital Region Medical Center, police say.
“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones who are grieving this morning,” said Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate. “This is an unimaginable tragedy, and on behalf of the VBPD, I extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by this loss.”
VBPD and MDSP are conducting separate investigations concerning the incident.
VBPD are focusing on the abduction and any events leading up to it, while MDSP are looking into the crash, as it occurred in Maryland, according to VSP.
If you have any information about the investigation in Virginia Beach, please contact 757-385-4101 or Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
For any information on MDSP's investigation, call Sergeant Zimmerman at 301-392-1231.
