Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Crime, Law and Justice
Will Matuska

Grandmother of boy critically injured by gunfire pleads with community to provide tips on case

sharrie jennings speaks at press conference
Sharrie Jennings says here family is forever changed after her granddaughter Ladavionne Garrett Jr. was shot while riding in a car with his parents in April. She asked Sunday for anyone with information to come forward.
Screenshot from KARE 11

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The grandmother of a 10-year-old boy critically injured by gunfire in Minneapolis earlier this year pleaded Sunday for anyone with information on the shooting to come forward.

Ladavionne Garrett Jr. was shot April 30 while riding in a car with his parents, and remains in critical condition. Two other children — Aniya Allen and Trinity Ottoson-Smith — were fatally shot this spring. There haven't been arrests in any of those cases.

Ladavionne's grandmother Sharrie Jennings said her family is forever changed.

“No 10-year-old should have to be fighting for his life," Jennings said, at a news conference carried by KARE-TV. "My grandson right now should be at church. Davionne loved to go to church. Davionne loved to go to school. Davionne was a straight-A student. Davionne used to cry if he had to miss school. ... My grandson was on the honor roll. All y'all robbed my grandson of his life. Y'all were wrong, whoever did this.”

KARE 11

Jennings said her family's pain is compounded by a lack of answers in the case.

"We need closure. We need some type of understanding as to, 'Why did this happen to our kids?' Our kids, it's unfair. Please say something. Please," she said.

Jennings said she's concerned that if there aren't arrests in the shootings of the three children, more kids will be affected by violence this summer.

"There should be no reason that a child can't go outside and jump rope, or hopscotch, or ride their bike around the block, or even ride in the car with their parents to Dairy Queen or McDonald's. To have to worry about gunshots in broad daylight? We've got to do better. Please, I'm begging you, speak up and say something. Somebody knows something," she said.

Related links

A combined reward fund for information leading to arrests in the three shootings has reached $35,000.

Minneapolis police spokesperson John Elder said Sunday that multiple homicide teams are working on the cases and they are "making some headway," but they need more help from the community. He said some tips on the three shootings have been coming in — but more for the shootings of Aniya and Trinity, with fewer tips on Ladavionne's case.

Anyone with information on the cases is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at (800) 222-TIPS, or online at www.CrimeStoppersMN.org.