Twin Cities Gospel Artists Unite To Counter Gun Violence

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minneapolis police are still looking for the gunman who shot into a minivan and killed a two-year-old boy.

Le'Vonte King Jason Jones was killed. His 15-month-old sister was also shot, but survived.

The shooting has sparked outrage in the community, with calls for people to come forward with information.

It also sparked members of the gospel music scene to raise their voices to help.

"Every time I got on social media, it was a shooting, it was a killing and it was something," said gospel artist Darnell Davis.

He says it has sent him running to his piano.

"I believe right now, just of all the stuff that's going on in the world, we need healing," Davis said.

He wrote a song called "Heal The Land," and invited local gospel artists to help him spread a message of unity, peace and reconciliation.

Engineer Miles Hanson and Creation Studios owner Steve Wiese were also part of the collaboration; all had their own reasons for sharing their talents.

"If there's no harmony, how can there be unity?" said gospel artist Roosevelt George.

Originally from Baton Rouge, this is personal for George.

"That touched me because that's home. I've never seen Baton Rouge that way before. And I live in Minnesota, there was a tragedy here. Then my brother and his wife live in Dallas, and it just fell on my heart like a ton of bricks," George said.

He says other gospel greats -- like Jamecia Bennet, James Greer, Ashley Dubose and Sarah Renner -- all wanted to use their talent to make a difference.

"Our voices need to be heard. But our voices need to penetrate the hearts of all over Americans, all people all over the world to let them know that we can talk about this," George said. "There must be a better way besides hurting each other, killing each other."

Davis says he hopes his song shows people the strength in coming together.

"I also want them to hear the prayer of healing and recognize that we need that healing, and let's come together as one mind and pray God [to] heal our land," Davis said.

"Heal The Land" is being mixed down and will be available for sale later this week.

Profits from the sale will go to Le'Vonte Jones' mother.