Father of boy killed in drive-by is charged

Published 1:38 pm Saturday, July 16, 2016

MINNEAPOLIS — The father of a 2-year-old boy who was killed last week in a drive-by shooting has been charged.

Twenty-five-year-old Melvonte Peterson of Brooklyn Center was charged Friday with illegally having a firearm and drive-by shooting.

Authorities said he returned fire at a black Chevrolet Impala on July 8 after its driver pulled next to Peterson’s van in north Minneapolis and fired shots.

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Police are still seeking the person who fired the shots that killed Le-Vonte King Jason Jones and injured 15-month-old Melia Queen Melvina Jones.

Peterson was in custody Friday and it was not immediately clear if he had an attorney to comment on his behalf.