The father of slain Chicago 6-month-old Jonylah Watkins was released from the hospital Thursday evening and reportedly headed straight for the police station to help police identify and locate the infant's killer.
Jonathan Watkins, 28, stood next to Pastor Corey Brooks, who has been serving as the family's spokesman, Thursday as the pastor said Watkins plans to "fully" cooperate with the authorities, NBC Chicago reports.
"Whatever the police need to know that he may know, we want to make sure that he fully commits himself to letting them know that, as he already [has] done," Brooks said, according to ABC Chicago.
Brooks later tweeted, according to DNAinfo Chicago, that Watkins "cooperated with the police and now he is going 2 talk 2 the State Attorney 2 make sure the killer is caught as soon as possible."
Earlier reports suggested there was some question whether Jonylah's father, who police claim has gang affiliations and also has an extensive rap sheet, would cooperate with police investigating Jonylah Watkins' March 11 shooting death. Jonathan Watkins was also wounded in the shooting and has not been a member of a gang since 2007, Brooks said, according to CBS Chicago.
Jonylah's funeral has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Brooks' New Beginnings Church in Woodlawn, not far from where the baby was shot five times while her father was changing her diaper in a minivan on Monday afternoon. Jonylah died early the next morning at Comer Children's Hospital.
Police have said the baby's father was "obviously targeted" by the gunman.
The community has rallied to raise a cash reward of $11,000 for information that will help capture the baby's killer. According to WGN, that reward -- as well as community pleas to stop the violence -- may have proven effective as tips on the shooting have poured in all week. Sources told the station that police have identified who they are looking for, though the department has not confirmed whether they have named a suspect.
Anyone with any information or tips has been urged to call 1-800-883-5785, a number community activists have provided.
Meanwhile, Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco released a new song dedicated to Jonylah Watkins -- titled "Jonylah Forever:"
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