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.
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.
Tuesday, February 5 2013 3:09 PM EST2013-02-05 20:09:54 GMT
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:46:28 GMT
Thieves have struck a Streeterville area construction site a handful of times over the past week, taking tools and construction materials, police said.
Thieves have struck a Streeterville area construction site a handful of times over the past week, taking tools and construction materials, police said.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:36 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:36:47 GMT
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:12:19 GMT
Six elementary students were taken to hospitals as a precautionary measure after the inflatable playground equipment they were enjoying at a northwest suburban school tipped over.
Six elementary students were taken to hospitals as a precautionary measure after the inflatable playground equipment they were enjoying at a northwest suburban school tipped over.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:03:12 GMT
BREAKING UPDATE: The jury reached a verdict in the Donald Trump condo trial on Thursday afternoon. The verdict will be read at 2:15 p.m. and the Dirksen Federal Building.
BREAKING UPDATE: The jury reached a verdict in the Donald Trump condo trial on Thursday afternoon. The verdict will be read at 2:15 p.m. and the Dirksen Federal Building.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:22:23 GMT
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
