Children pay respects to Minneapolis toddler killed on Friday
More than 160 students and staff from Lucy Laney Elementary School visited a memorial for Le'Vonte King Jason Jones, a 2-year-old boy, fatally shot last week just a block from their school in north Minneapolis.
Police say Jones, who family members referred to as King, was killed, and his 15-month-old sister was wounded, when two parties started firing guns near the intersection of Penn and Lowry avenues. Last week, the children's mother joined a community vigil at the site.
The principal of the school, Mauri Melander, led the children on a silent walk from the school so the children could leave flowers and cards.
One card read, "To King's family. Pretend this note is a hug..."
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Melander said the march helped the children feel a sense of purpose in the wake of a tragedy.
"And I think they also wanted to show something to the greater community — not necessarily say it — but just show it. And show a sign of solidarity and calm," said Melander.
Students at a park next to the school could hear the gunshots, Melander said.
And while it's not uncommon for children who live near the school to hear gunfire, Melander said, she doesn't want them to get used to it.
"I said to the children this morning, I said, 'That's not normal. Every time this happens I'm going to tell you guys, that's not normal.' This isn't a normal way to live," said Melander. "And we're not going to act like it's a normal way to live. So we're going to make a big deal out of it this morning."
Minneapolis police spokesman Scott Seroka said the department is making good progress, but has no developments to share publicly. Originally, eight investigators were assigned to the shooting case. Seroka said several more have been added.