Toddler's Dad Killed In Custody Dispute

LAKELAND, FL — The father of a 2-year-old boy was shot and killed Thursday by the boyfriend of the child's mother during an apparent custody dispute, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office said 39-year-old Brian Ingram drove from Gainesville with his mother, Patricia, to pick up his child for a weekend visit while the child's mother was out shopping. Ingram was asked to wait until his former girlfriend returned home, but he instead tried to force his way into the home, the agency said.

The shooting happened around 12:15 p.m. along Ewell Road in Lakeland after Ingram's mother went to ask for the child, but was told to wait.

"Patricia knocked on the door around noon and asked for the little boy, at which time the victim invited her to wait until the boy's mother returned from the store so she could say goodbye before he left for the weekend," the sheriff's office explained.

Ingram called 9-1-1 shortly before the shooting and said he was being refused his child. The dispatcher told Ingram to wait for deputies to arrive.

"In lieu of waiting on law enforcement, Ingram, enraged, ran to the front door and aggressively and repeatedly rang the doorbell and banged on the door, covering the peep hole with his hand," the sheriff's office said. "When the victim cracked the door open, Ingram forced his foot into the doorway and then shoved the door against the victim, striking him in the head."

The man who lives at the home was armed with a handgun and warned Ingram to step away or be shot.

"Ingram continued to force his way into the home and he was shot by the victim," the sheriff's office said. "Ingram ran into the yard where he collapsed and succumbed to his injuries."

The sheriff's office released video of Ingram trying to force his way into the home.

The agency said the woman's boyfriend reported shooting Ingram to a 9-1-1 dispatcher because Ingram was "fighting his way into" the home.

Watch surveillance video of the altercation below courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office:

The woman's boyfriend suffered cuts and bruises when he was hit by the door, according to the sheriff's office.

"The 2-year-old boy was in a crib in a back bedroom during the entire incident and was not injured," the sheriff's office added. "The boy's mother ... arrived on scene shortly after the incident."

The sheriff's office said the child's mother had taken out an injunction against Ingram. Officials said Ingram had a criminal record.