Local

City leaders vow to find 22-month-old's killer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A prayer vigil is planned Monday in honor of the 14 people killed in Jacksonville already this year, including 22 month-old Aiden McClendon.

City leaders gathered Saturday in a public show of support and announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a toddler's killer.

Sheriff Mike Williams announced that business leaders quickly put together the reward money for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for the murder of McClendon.

He was shot three times while sitting in the backseat of a car with his mother and grandmother Friday night on the Eastside. Police believe none of the three were targets and that the shooting was gang-related.

Aiden's grandmother and mother were not injured in the shooting, one of several in Jacksonville Friday.

Lt. George Grant said officers don’t know how many suspects were involved, but they reportedly fled the scene in a white vehicle on Albert Street.

Mayor Lenny Curry, Sheriff Mike Williams, Bishop John Guns and First Coast Crime Stoppers Director Wyllie Hodges were among some of the leaders who called for an end to the city’s violence.

Aiden was the 13th person killed in Jacksonville so far this year.

Curry announced at the press conference that $500,000 will come from the Jacksonville Journey program to fund extra man hours for police.

The vigil will be held at 7pm Monday at Bethel Baptist Church in downtown Jacksonville. Everyone is invited to attend.