Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral for a 6-month-old baby who was killed when a gunman fired at minivan in Chicago as she sat on her father's lap.
Teddy bears and flowers were on the stage at the Tuesday services for Jonylah Watkins. The funeral is at a church in the Woodlawn neighborhood where the shooting occurred. The girl's father, 29-year-old Jonathan Watkins, was seriously wounded in the March 11 shooting.
Watkins wore a white hooded sweatshirt and bowed his head over the small casket on Tuesday. Earlier mourners filed past the open casket. On Monday a line formed outside the funeral home at the baby girl's wake.
The baby's parents were escorted into the Leak & Sons Funeral Home through a back door for security reasons Monday. They left after 10 minutes.
Jonylah has become a sad symbol of gun violence for the community.
Police say they are close to finding the person who killed her.
A number of Chicago police patrolled outside because police say the shooting was a gang related hit, targeted at the baby's father, 28-year-old Jonathon Watkins. He was shot multiple times and police say he is cooperating with the investigation but they say he could contribute more.
"He was not changing the baby's diaper when this occurred and we found no evidence that the mother, his wife, was ever shot. So I don't know where that information came from but the fact is he has a significant criminal background. At this point, we think there's a lot more that he can help us with but he is in fact cooperating with the investigation," McCarthy said.
Sources tell FOX 32 News Watkins refuses to give police the passcode to his mobile phone. Police want to see what communication took place before the shooting.
Supt. Gary McCarthy credited Pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings Church with getting the father to cooperate with police and for helping pay for the baby's funeral.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:50 AM EDT2013-05-25 14:50:09 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:20 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:20:26 GMT
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:40:54 GMT
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:27:07 GMT
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Saturday, May 25 2013 11:04 AM EDT2013-05-25 15:04:24 GMT
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings.
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings on their properties.
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