Surveillance video reviewed in Minneapolis toddler shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Minneapolis police are beefing up their investigative team in the search for the gunman who killed a 2-year-old toddler last Friday, July 8. The department now has more than 10 detectives working the case.

Detectives are reviewing  surveillance video from the scene of the shooting at Lowry Avenue and Penn Avenue. The video, obtained by Fox 9, appears to show two vehicles exchanging gunfire.

Le’Vonte King Jason Jones was shot in the chest and killed while riding in the backseat of his family’s minivan. Also in the van and injured in the shooting was Le’Vonte’s 15-month-old sister, Melia. Monday morning, children from a nearby elementary school, who heard the gunfire, honored the young victim with hand-drawn cards and a moment of silence.

“Unfortunately we’ve had our fair share of tragedies that we’ve weathered over the years,” said Lucy Laney Community School principal Mauri Melander. “I’ve learned you can’t ignore it. You don’t always need to stop and make a super big deal out of it. But you can’t ignore it. And you can’t act like it’s normal.”

Minneapolis police would not comment about whether anyone inside the boy’s vehicle fired a weapon.

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“Think if this was your family. Think if this was your baby!” said Regena Jones, the boy’s aunt.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police or call Crimestoppers 1-800-222-TIPS.