Council OKs $75k Reward in Toddler Shooting Death, Perry Pleads for Perps to Turn Themselves In

By a unanimous vote, today the Los Angeles City Council approved a $75,000 reward offer for information leading to the arrest of a suspect or suspects in the fatal shooting of a South Los Angeles toddler. A special motion introduced by City Councilwoman Jan Perry put forth the reward. The 22-month-old boy, Joshua Montes, was shot while in his uncle's arms in the yard of a South Los Angeles home located in Perry's council district. The uncle was also wounded in the shooting.

The toddler and his uncle were the victims of gunfire from an unknown shooter, though neither were believed to be the intended target. Speaking on behalf of her motion today, Perry called the suspect or suspects "a danger to this family [and] to the entire community," who "have no regard for human life," and pleaded for them to turn themselves in, or for someone to be further motivated by the reward to turn in the suspects. "What you did was horrible, heinous," said Perry, and "something that defies any logic."

Josefat Canchola, the toddler's uncle, was taken off life support yesterday, though he is still living. Last reports indicate he was listed in critical condition.

According to authorities, the shots came from Hooper Avenue, which is about 40 yards from where Josefat and Joshua were in the yard. "Investigators found shell casings on the street and bullet holes in a narrow fence that wraps around the yard," notes L.A. Now, adding that the LAPD "believe bullets penetrated the fence and hit both victims." The investigation remains ongoing.