Man poses with girl shortly before slaying

Police say a picture was posted on Facebook of a man and a 19-month-old girl shortly before the toddler was fatally shot and the man seriously wounded.

Westminster police spokeswoman Cheri Spottke says the man in the picture, Merrick McKoy, is the lone suspect in Monday’s slaying of 19-month Mia McKoy-Phanthavongsa. Spottke says investigators were able to interview the mother, Kim Phanthavongsa, early Wednesday.

Spottke says Phanthavongsa confirmed in the interview that the picture was taken either “near or at the time” of the slaying.

Spottke says other details, including confirmation that McKoy posted the picture and that he shot himself, were not being released because of the ongoing investigation.