North Carolina dad charged with attempted murder after allegedly throwing kids in pond

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Monday, September 21, 2015
Father charged with attempted murder
Alan Tysheen Eugene Lassiter, 29

DURHAM -- A Raleigh father was charged with attempted murder after he allegedly threw his three kids in a pond Sunday night, according to police.

Alan Tysheen Eugene Lassiter, 29, was charged with 3 counts of attempted murder.

Durham police said they received a 911 call from Lassiter alerting them and then they dispatched officers.

In the 911 call, Lassiter said, "I just killed... both of my daughters. CCS was trying to take my kids away from me because I was dealing with some sexual desires I was trying to get help with. But instead they turned their back on me... the whole system and tried to take my kids."

Officers went to Shearwater Drive shortly after 9 p.m. An off-duty Durham County deputy had pulled two girls, 3 and 5 years old, out of the pond.

A 7-year-old boy was able to get away and run for help, according to police.

Officers performed CPR on the children until EMS arrived. The two girls are still in the hospital.

Authorities said the 3-year-old is in critical condition and the 5-year-old is in stable condition.

Durham police held a press conference at around 11:15 a.m. on Monday.

"It's very stressful for responders," Police Chief Jose Lopez said. "Whether you have children or not you're impacted by young lives placed in such a horrendous situation. We really feel for them."

Lassiter's bond was set at $2.25 million.