Officials announced a $10,500 reward Friday in the Valentine’s Day triple shooting that killed a 2-year-old boy and his uncle, and wounded a pregnant woman in the Lawndale neighborhood.
Community activist Andrew Holmes, along with Sweet Holy Spirit Church announced the reward which was raised by several businessmen and leaders, including former Chicago Bear Richard Dent.
The horrific shooting was captured on Facebook Live video as the 20-year-old woman streamed footage of the three riding in a vehicle on the West Side.
As the car pulled into an alley in the 4400 block of West Ogden Avenue, the woman looked to her left and several gunshots were heard. She jumped out of the car and ran with her mobile device in hand into a nearby home.
She pleaded for help and warned her boyfriend had been shot, as well as a toddler who was in the backseat.
The boy, Lavontay White Jr., was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital at 2:43 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Lavontay’s uncle, Lazarec Collins, 26, was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene. Collins’ pregnant girlfriend, who is 4 months along, was shot in the abdomen area. She was taken to Stroger where her and the unborn baby were listed in fair condition, officials said.
Lavontay marks the second youngest victim of gun violence since 6-month-old Jonylah Watkins was killed in 2013 while her father was changing her diaper in the front seat of his van.
Saturday night, two girls, 12 and 11, were fatally wounded on the South Side.
Early Walker, who owns a towing company and contributed to the reward, stood with a group of leaders as the $10,500 was announced.
"It’s time for us to start taking a stand," Walker said, adding if business owners can make money in the communities plagued with violence, they should be able to donate to help bring perpetrators to justice.
Community activist Andrew Holmes asked for the responsible person to turn himself in and said he and Bishop Larry Trotter, the pastor of Sweet Holy Spirit, would walk the suspect into the police station to ensure his safety.
"I know you’re scared. I know who you are. They know who you are," Holmes said.
Friday, a spokesman for Sweet Holy Spirit Church on the South Side said staff would be on hand the next 24 hours to take tips in Lavontay’s slaying. He also said the reward amount was growing.
Anyone with information can call 773-721-6178.
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