San Leandro police have arrested two suspects for allegedly shooting and attempting to kill an 11-month-old boy in a McDonald's restaurant on Monday, just the latest of multiple attempts to take the boy's life, according to prosecutors.
Marcel Brooks, 28, and Adanna Ibe, 27, both of Antioch, were taken into custody Tuesday on suspicion of conspiracy and attempted murder. They were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and four counts of premeditated murder for a series of alleged attacks on the boy and his mother.
No one was struck in the Monday shooting, which occurred around 2:30 p.m. in the McDonald's at the downtown San Leandro Plaza at 1287 Washington Ave. Investigators determined that Brooks is the boy's father and was supposed to meet the boy's mother at the restaurant Monday, police said.
Brooks never entered the restaurant, police said, though they believe he may have been waiting nearby. Ibe allegedly went in, confirmed with Brooks via text that the mother and baby were inside, and he allegedly responded to go through with the plan. Ibe then approached and fired at the toddler, police said.
San Leandro police Lt. Isaac Benabou said it’s a miracle that the baby boy wasn’t hurt by the bullet that broke through a window at the fast food restaurant.
"I've never investigated a case where the intended murder victim is an infant," he said. "It's very disturbing."
Investigators did not release surveillance video but said it shows Ibe pull out a gun and fire at the child from a foot away. Somehow, the bullet missed the baby and the mother, who was holding him.
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Prosecutors said that in late March, Ibe "tried to strike and kill" the boy and his mother with her car.
Brooks' family believes he’s innocent.
"He's a great father; he's an active father," said Nina Clark, a relative. "He would never ever, I'm saying ever be involved in nothing like this."
Brooks and Ibe are the parents of a 5-year-old child who was placed with other relatives after they were arrested, police said.
Investigators found Brooks at a location outside San Leandro late Monday night and arrested him at about 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Benabou said. Ibe was with Brooks and also was arrested at that time, police said.
Once they were both arrested, Brooks claimed he had no part in the plan. Ibe confessed but claimed it was all Brooks’ idea, police said.
Police aren’t saying why Brooks may have plotted to kill his own son.
