Malik Chandler, a 31-year-old man from Grove City, Ohio, faces felony charges after shooting a man he believed had sexually assaulted his 11-year-old daughter. Court records indicate Chandler was charged last month with felony assault and an additional count of using a weapon “under disability,” due to his prior felony conviction that prohibits him from possessing firearms.

According to authorities, Chandler allegedly used the social media platform TikTok to lure 20-year-old Diego Montoya Gonzalez to his home, where he discharged a firearm twice. The incident reportedly occurred in late July. The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office explained the “under disability” charge stems from Chandler’s 2010 conviction for felony burglary, which bars him from legally carrying a weapon in Ohio.

Chandler’s previous conviction was committed when he was a minor, but it has continued to restrict his firearm rights into adulthood. The inclusion of the weapon disability charge can result in an extended prison sentence if he is found guilty.

The case has drawn significant public attention due to the nature of the allegations against Gonzalez and Chandler’s actions in response. However, the legal focus remains on the charges brought against Chandler, with prosecutors emphasizing enforcement of state laws regarding firearm possession by felons. If convicted, Chandler could face up to 18 years in prison.

Details about ongoing investigations or court proceedings have not been released, and officials have not commented further on the case. Both the victim and defendant’s legal representatives have yet to provide statements. The situation underscores complex legal challenges that arise when individuals take the law into their own hands in response to serious crimes.