16-year-old gang member arrested in Jacksonville toddler's shooting death

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two alleged gang members, including a 16-year-old, have been charged in the shooting death of a Jacksonville toddler, who police said was killed in gang-related gunfire in January.

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said Henry Lee Hayes is charged with murder after he opened fire on a car that 22-month-old Aiden McClendon and two family members were inside on Jan. 29.

Aiden was hit three times and taken to the hospital, where he later died.

Williams said Aiden was an unintended target in a shooting fueled by rap video taunts between two Jacksonville street gangs.

Police said Aiden's cousin Reginald Williams, a member of the Out East gang, was in the front yard at time of shooting and was likely the shooters' intended target.

D'Angelo Wilson, 23, was arrested Feb. 4 and charged as an accessory to the fact.

One shooter has yet to be charged, according to police.

Police said the Out East Gang has 65 certified members and Problem Child Entertainment has 16.

Hayes had already been adjudicated as an adult and was serving 15 days for violation of house arrest.

He was booked on the murder charge, among others, and is being held on no bond.

Charges come from witness IDs and evidence. One firearm involved in Aiden's shooting was recovered.

State Attorney Angela Corey was at the press conference to announce the arrests and said such shootings will not be tolerated.

Cox Media Group