Dad charged with murder in Minneapolis toddler's shooting death
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Criminal charges against a Minneapolis father have been amended to include two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of manslaughter in the July 8 shooting death of 2-year-old Le’Vonte King Jason Jones. Melvonte Peterson, 25, was already charged with drive-by shooting and illegal possession of a firearm.
Bullet holes in van
On July 8, Minneapolis police responded to the intersection of Penn Avenue North and Lowry Avenue North at 11:30 a.m. on a report of gunshots heard in the area.
Shortly after the shooting, Peterson arrived in his van at North Memorial Hospital with the two children, who he said were his kids. 2-year-old Le'Vonte "King Jason" Jones died from being shot in the chest, and 15-month-old Melia Jones suffered a gunshot wound to the leg.
Video obtained of shooting in intersection
Police obtained a video which shows a shooting involving Peterson's van and another vehicle at the intersection of Penn and Lowry Avenues North, just minutes before he and the two children arrived at the hospital.
According to court documents, the video shows a black Chevrolet Impala stopped at the intersection before Peterson's van pulled up next to it. As the van slowed down next to the Impala, Minneapolis Police Shot Spotter equipment detected two gun shots, a brief pause, then nine more shots fired as Peterson's van turned onto Penn Avenue.
"Video shows the defendant's van pulling away and jumping the curb as the first two shots are fired," the complaint stated. The driver of the Impala then fled the scene.
Gun found in basement
On July 15, police found Peterson at an apartment in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Officers searched the apartment and found a .45 caliber handgun in the basement rafters. Near the gun were cobwebs and insulation. When Peterson was taken into custody, he had cobwebs and insulation in his hair.
The Minneapolis Police Department is continuing this case to hold all of those responsible for the death of Le’Vonte Jones accountable.