Jonylah Watkins Update: Chicago officials ask gangs not to hide gunman who killed infant

(CBS) CHICAGO - Officials in Chicago are asking gang leaders not to hide the killer of Jonylah Watkins, a six-month-old girl who died after she and her father where shot on Monday, CBS Chicago reports.

According to the station, Alderman Willie Cochran, a former police officer, was so incensed by the infant's shooting death that he reached out to street gangs to tell them it's unacceptable for anyone to help or hide the gunman responsible.

"We've talked with some of the gang leaders, and we've talked about how important it is for them to not harbor offenders that they know are offenders who have committed crimes associated with innocent victims," Cochran said.

Jonylah died at the University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital on Tuesday evening. She had been in the hospital's intensive care unit after undergoing surgery for multiple gunshot wounds on Monday.

Jonylah and her father, Jonathan Watkins, were shot Monday afternoon as Watkins was standing in the open passenger's door to a minivan, changing Jonylah's diaper. A gunman approached him from behind, and opened fire.

Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said Tuesday that the shooting is very likely gang related. According to police, Jonathan Watkins was the likely target in the shooing because he belongs to a gang and has a long criminal history.

McCarthy said investigators have not been able to get any cooperating witnesses and are hoping to get answers from Jonathan Watkins once he's able to speak to them.

A total of $11,000 in reward money is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.

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