Boy, 2, Dad Who Kidnapped Him, Both Seen In NJ, Shot Dead: UPDATE

A 2-year-old boy and the father who kidnapped him, both last seen in a car entering New Jersey, have been found dead, police said.

A vehicle bearing New York license plate GAV4699 was found Wednesday morning in Rockbridge County, Va. with two dead occupants: 2-year-old Jovani Ligurgo and his father, John Ligurgo III, 43, according to the Suffolk County, N.Y. police.

During a press briefing (watch it below) Wednesday afternoon, Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said her department followed protocol and asked New York State Police to issue an Amber Alert for Jovani, who was believed to have been in possession of a hunting rifle, but that request was denied.

State Police told the Associated Press that Suffolk Police did not provide enough information to meet the criteria for an Amber Alert to be issued.

Between 7 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, a call reporting a possible car fire came into police in Rockbridge County near Lexington, Virginia, according to a WSLS 10 report. Police discovered smoke inside a black Jeep and two people dead inside.

The father and son were both killed by gunshot wounds and a rifle was recovered from the Jeep, WDBJ7 in Virginia reported.

According to Suffolk Police in Long Island, Jovani Ligurgo’s mother dropped him off at his father’s residence on Bretton Woods Drive in Coram at about 7 a.m. Tuesday.

When Jovani, who resides with his mother in Smithtown, was not returned to his mother’s custody at the predetermined time, 3:30 to 4 p.m., the mother called police.

Officers responded to a call of a house fire around 3:35 p.m. at 265 Bretton Woods Drive, where the boy’s father resides. The home was unoccupied when first responders arrived on the scene.

Detectives believe the child was in the company of his father who fled the state in his black Jeep Grand Cherokee, New York license plate GAV4699. Ligurgo III was believed to be in possession of a hunting rifle.

The father's license plate was captured by a toll booth camera on the George Washington Bridge heading into New Jersey, according to News12.

The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information to call 911 or contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652 or call New Jersey State Police at 609-882-2000.

With photo and reporting by Ryan Bonner