Father Of Fatally Shot 2-Year-Old Arrested

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- As family buried a little boy killed in the crossfire of a drive-by Monday, his father sat behind bars charged in connection with the shooting.

A grief stricken family celebrates the life of a two year old stolen from them by a gunman's bullet.

Le'Vonte King Jason Jones was hit by gunfire during an exchange of bullets at a busy intersection in north Minneapolis.

His 15-month-old sister was also shot.

Cousin and pastor of Above Every Name Ministries Danny Givens says Le'Vonte's last memory had to be of his dad.

"That was the last thing he saw was his father holding him, running he and his sister to safety," Givens said.

Missing from the funeral was 25-year-old Melvonte Peterson.

He is behind bars, picked up on a warrant early Friday morning in connection with the shooting that took his son's life.

"It saddens my heart. I understand that they have to do their job but this man lost his son," said Givens. "This man's 15-month-old daughter was shot. This man isn't indictment or on trial because of what people say his character is, this man is grieving the loss of a child."

Givens says now is not the time to criticize or condemn the father. He says it is time to comfort a family in pain, and help them by telling what you know so the person responsible for this tiny casket is caught.

"The police do have a name of a particular suspect that they are looking for, and so we're just waiting to verify that and for them to do their job," Givens said.

Peterson is charged with possession of a firearm and drive by shooting at an occupied vehicle or building. He is being held on a $500,000 dollar bond.

Police are actively looking for the person who was driving a black Impala and fired nine shots into the minivan driven by Peterson.