Toddler shot and killed by father in St. Pete home, police say

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A St. Petersburg family is mourning the loss of their two-year-old boy after he was shot by his father Sunday night, police say. 

The St. Petersburg Police Department said they arrested the father, Aaron Creary, on aggravated manslaughter of a child and violation of probation charges. 

Aaron Creary was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and violation of probation. Courtesy: St. Petersburg Police Department

The two-year-old boy was identified as Armani Creary, investigators said police responded to the home on 15th Avenue South. The department said Creary is accused of getting into an argument at his parent's home when he pulled out a gun that struck the two-year-old. 

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Officials said Creary attempted to drive his son to the hospital, but he lost control of the car and crashed into a car in the parking lot of a closed business on 34th Street South at 15th Avenue South. 

The toddler was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead, St. Pete police said. 

Pictured: Two-year-old Armani Creary. 

Two-year-old Armani's mother, Makayla Steele, says she is supporting the boy's father and says the whole situation was a tragic accident. The family says Creary would never intentionally harm his child. 

"He would light up the room when he walked in there. He had a smile and sometimes a smirk," Makayla's aunt Jessica Burton said. 

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Armani and his twin sister Aubrianna had just turned 2 years old last month. Burton says Armani loved the TV show "Paw Patrol," and spending time at her ranch with her horses.

"It's going to be very difficult for Aubrianna, but she will get as well as everybody in the family, the much-needed support," Burton said. "We already have plan for counseling everybody's young, but all the siblings are really close nieces, nephews."

Family and friends came together Monday evening for a balloon release and vigil at Childs Park in St. Pete – just 24 hours after the toddler's death. 

"There's no doubt in my mind family will get through this. It's going to be a long road," Burton said.