Attempted kidnapping suspect killed by Peoria Police, PD says

PEORIA, Ariz. - An attempted kidnapping suspect was shot and killed by Peoria Police on Thursday night, the department said.

What we know:

The police department said it happened near Thunderbird Road and 87th Avenue on June 5.

"We responded to a call shortly after 6:45 p.m. for a male subject who was allegedly attempting to take a female, kidnap the female, an adult female. She was, at the time, pushing a baby stroller with a small child in the stroller. According to witnesses, the subject attempted to take the child from the female, at which time she FaceTimed her husband. Her husband came to the scene. Apparently, the suspect was chased down the street, down 87th Lane and west Pershing Avenue. At that time, officers were responding to the call. Officers contacted the suspect, some sort of altercation took place and an officer-involved shooting occurred," Peoria Police Sgt. Araceli Montes said.

She clarified that witnesses stated it appears the target of the kidnapping was the child in the stroller.

As for the suspect, he was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. He was later identified as 43-year-old Matthew Cardon, a Peoria resident. Police say evidence shows the suspect had mental health issues.

An officer was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.

"The officer is OK," Sgt. Montes said.

She said the suspect didn't know the woman, saying they were strangers to each other.

The child inside the stroller is OK.

Dig deeper:

A nearby resident's security camera captured the plea for help from the mother, as the suspect tried to abduct her baby.

"Help. Help. Somebody help me," the mother could be heard screaming.

Police say Cardon grabbed the mother from behind and tried to take her baby, and that the attempted kidnapping was a random incident. The victim also did not know the suspect.

"I just never thought something like this would happen here," one woman said. "I think us as women, we are targets, especially when we are with our children. I just never thought something like this could happen here."

Neighbors are showing their support for the family, displaying a sign on mailboxes that reads, "To all that were involved, especially the family of the attempted kidnapping, we're glad you're safe."

Suspect's sister speaks out

On June 6, we spoke with Cardon's sister, who said while her brother needed help, he didn't deserve to die.

I am beyond devastated," said April Cardon. "I loved my brother, like, so much. I will miss him forever, but I have to be strong because his little girl needs me."

What She Said:

April said she talked to the suspect weekly when he would drop off his nine-year-old daughter. She said things changed for Cardon after he was diagnosed with a mental illness, and battled alcoholism. She knew Cardon went to rehab a couple of weeks ago, and was released from the hospital earlier in the week.

"Many times he went to rehab or to behavioral health," said April. "He really wanted to be well. He really wanted to be good. He really wanted to be, like, a productive member of society. He hated being sick. He wanted help."

April said she knew what her brother did was wrong, but maintained she doesn't believe his life should have been taken.

"I feel very strongly that police - I know they have a really hard job, but I feel that they need to be better trained to deal with people who have a mental illness," said April. "I feel that this situation should have been de-escalated. There was no reason for someone to die."

April also had some words for the victim and her family.

"As a mother myself, I can't imagine how scary that must have been, and I am so sorry that she went through that," April said. "My heart goes out to her and the dad and the baby. I feel so bad for them."

What's next:

Glendale police are leading the investigation as part of the West Valley Investigative Response Team.

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