Chicago police Superintendent Gary McCarthy on Monday said investigators believe they know what happened the night a 6-month-old baby was shot to death and her father seriously wounded.
McCarthy says Jonylah Watkins was sitting in Jonathon Watkins lap in the driver's seat of a minivan when the shooter approached the vehicle and began firing. The narrative is a departure from previous reports that Watkins was changing the baby's diaper at the time of shooting.
The top cop also confirmed what a medical examiner source told NBC Chicago last week: that little Jonylah Watkins was shot just once.
McCarthy said investigators indicate the 28-year-old Watkins, who has a criminal history, is cooperating with police.
Jonathan Watkins, police said, has ties to the Gangster Disciples and has an extensive criminal record. Police records show he's been arrested 39 times and was likely the shooter's intended target. Numerous weapons violations and an attempt to steal his car back from police after it was impounded are among the previous charges against the father.
He added Monday he has no doubt an arrest will be made.
The community is offering an $11,000 reward for the capture of Jonylah's shooter. A family spokesman said Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose will help pay for the child's funeral
Services for Jonylah are to be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at a Woodlawn neighborhood church.
