Lake Charles police on Thursday asked for the public’s help in finding 24-year-old Diamond King, who they say was involved in an early-morning home invasion that resulted in the shooting of a 3-year-old girl in the 400 block of Scott Street on Tuesday.

King, whose last known address is 2106 Katherine St., is described as a black male, 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall, with a thin build. 

“Diamond King knows we are looking for him, and he’s on the run,” Police Chief Don Dixon said Thursday. “He is considered armed and dangerous.” 

Police said they have already apprehended the other assailant in the attack, Keylon Stevens, 20. Authorities said the men entered the home through an unlocked door at about 1 a.m.; demanded money from the homeowner; and began pistol-whipping him in the head while he held the child in his arms.

Police said the handgun discharged during the beating, striking the child in the arm. Her injuries required surgery by a specialist at an out-of-town hospital, officials said. An adult and child in a back bedroom of the home were unharmed, authorities said.

Police said King and Stevens committed an armed robbery in the 2100 block of Commercial Street about 45 minutes before the home invasion. Officials said the men beat the robbery victim with a handgun and stole the victim’s 2004 Chevrolet Suburban.

Both King and Stevens have lengthy criminal records and are on probation, Dixon said. Stevens was charged with two counts of armed robbery; two counts of armed robbery with a firearm; aggravated battery; two counts of aggravated second-degree battery; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. His bond was set at $882,000 by Judge Ron Ware.

King has warrants for his arrest on two counts of armed robbery; two counts of armed robbery with a firearm; aggravated battery; and two counts of aggravated second-degree battery. His total bond is $400,000, set by Ware. 

Anyone with information on the crime or King’s whereabouts can call Detective Cpl. Dustin Gaudet at 240-6049 or Crime Stoppers at 439-2222.