Miami Police Pray For Slain 4-Year-Old

MIAMI, FL — Bicycle-mounted Miami police officers returned to the spot where four-year-old Nyla Jones was gunned down last Saturday, one day before the Easter holiday. Officers said prayers on Thursday in front of a makeshift memorial that included balloons, stuffed teddy bears and Easter bunnies.

The girl's uncle, Ronald W. Jones, Jr., surrendered to Miami police on Saturday after allegedly shooting the child as she sat in a car with family members earlier in the day. The shooting occurred at 10:22 a.m. at NW 65 Street and NW 13 Court.

Family members insisted that Jones did not intend to shoot the child but the case has become yet another example of the toll that gun-related violence has taken on Miami children.

Officer Kiara Delva told patch that Jones apparently got into an argument with two adult family members, who were in the front seat of the vehicle and fired into the car, striking his niece in the back seat.

"My heart aches for the life of 4-year-old Nyla Jones," lamented Miami Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho on social media. "Whether the crime is random or domestic in nature, we must take responsibility when a child in our community is murdered. We must also do all we can to provide safety and reassurance to all children."

A second child and an adult family member were injured by shattered glass from the vehicle.

The 24-year-old Jones has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his niece.

Video courtesy Miami Police Department