Memorial set for teen killed in police pursuit

FINDLAY — In less than 48 hours since a family's life was turned upside down, that family has received an outpouring of love and support as they grieve the death of a young son. Kalvin Darapheth, 17, was shot and killed during a foot pursuit with Findlay police Monday night. Findlay police Chief James Mathias told The Courier Wednesday two patrol officers are on paid critical incident leave as a result of the incident. Police said Kalvin was one of three juvenile suspects that were accused of consuming alcoholic beverages at Bernard Park Monday evening. After police arrived, they said one suspect fled and an officer pursued. During the pursuit, police said the suspect fired at the officer and that the officer returned fire. Kalvin was pronounced dead on Tuesday, police said. "This was a dangerous and tragic situation," Findlay police Chief James Mathias wrote in a press release. "Our officers are trained to respond to threats of violence, especially when a gun was involved." Mathias said a handgun was recovered on scene and that the department is working closely with the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which is leading the investigation, on releasing redacted body camera footage. The autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday at Lucas County Coroner's Office, Mathias said. Vida Inthavong started an online fundraiser for her son's funeral. According to the fundraiser's website, she is hoping to raise $10,000 to help with funeral expenses. Police have not yet officially identified the teen shot nor the two other juveniles involved in the incident, but the family has said their son was the youth killed Monday. "As a parent, this is the worst decision you can make," Inthavong wrote on the site. "Making funeral arrangements for your teenage child that was killed all of a sudden due to a misunderstanding during a gun fire." As of Wednesday afternoon, $1,000 had been donated. People have posted online offering thoughts and prayers to the family, and sharing memories of Kalvin. "Kalvin was my student, I will remember him as a quiet and smiley boy. He was always respectful to me even when others weren't," wrote Jessica Frost Hudson to the teen's father, Thang Darapheth. Thang Darapheth also shared on social media that if anyone wants to show their respect for Kalvin, a Huan Dee, a Laotian custom to honor the dead, will be hosted at 2605 Eton Place, in Findlay, leading up to the funeral. "My thoughts and prayers go out to all that were part of this critical incident as a department and also the loss of a life," Mathias wrote.