Family says 6-year-old's dad found out about his son's death in jail: "We want him at the funeral"



Justin Evans Jr. (PHOTO: Angel Lewis)



MILWAUKEE -- A source told FOX6 News Monday, July 24th multiple arrests have been made in connection with the shooting death of six-year-old Justin Evans Jr. He was struck by a stray bullet Saturday evening, July 22nd near 23rd and Nash -- as he was about to head up to Green Bay with family for a fishing trip.

Police have not confirmed the arrests, but said they have talked to multiple witnesses, and are making progress in their investigation.

Meanwhile, the family is preparing for Evans Jr.'s funeral, and there's a family member they're hoping will be there.



FOX6 News on Monday spoke with Evans Jr.'s aunt, who was there as bullets flew Saturday.

"I looked and I literally saw guns and bullets flying everywhere, every which way, so when it happened and noticed my nephew was shot, I was screaming 'he's shot. They shooting. Help me. Help me,'" Jasmine Jones said.

Police said Justin Evans Jr. died at the hospital.

Justin Evans Jr. (PHOTO: Go Fund Me)



Jasmine Jones



"As far as the funeral, we're taking it slow and making sure my nephew gets laid to rest the proper way. Not have to worry about it. He will be laid to rest with a horse and a carriage," Jones said.

Jones said she wishes she could have pushed the boy out of the way, or taken the bullet herself.

"I watched my nephew take his first step, his first words, potty trained him. I held his pacifier. It was devastating. It's hard to deal with," Jones said.

Family members said the bullets weren't even fired on the same block Saturday.

6-year-old boy fatally shot near 23rd and Nash



6-year-old boy fatally shot near 23rd and Nash



6-year-old boy fatally shot near 23rd and Nash



"Bullets do fly, and that's where they came from. All the way down on the other block, and my nephew had to get struck by that bullet," Jones said.

Justin Evans Sr.



FOX6 News has learned Evans Jr.'s biological father is in jail, and he had to learn of his son's death by watching the news. Family members said they're working to get him to his son's funeral.

"This is Justin (Evans Sr.'s) first child. We want him here," Porsha Jones said.

Jones spoke on behalf of her sister, Lesesha Love, Evans Jr.'s mother.

"We want him at his first son's funeral. He couldn't be here for the vigil. He couldn't go to the hospital," Jones said.

Evans Sr. was recently arrested on a warrant -- on Friday, July 21st -- one day before his son was shot. He learned of his son's death by watching the news in jail. According to the family, he's heartbroken.

Justin Evans Sr. and Jr.



"That's the worst way to see that your six-year-old son has died," Love said.

Court documents show Evans Sr. has several open cases in Milwaukee and Waukesha County for driving on a revoked license after a previous OWI. There's also a paternity case in Waukesha County. Efforts were made to bail him out, but loved ones were informed his bail is on hold until his Wednesday, July 26th bond hearing. This has delayed the family's funeral planning.

Justin Evans Sr. and Jr.



Justin Evans Sr. and Jr.



Justin Evans Sr. and Jr.



"We want to lay my nephew to rest, but without him, we can't do it. We don't want to do it without him," Jasmine Jones said.

Angel Lewis



Angel Lewis, another of Evans Jr.'s aunts said family members have been deeply touched by the outpouring of support from the community. They said funeral homes, caterers and those with venue space have reached out to help.

"The outpouring of love is just very genuine and we appreciate everything," Lewis said.

The family said Evans Sr.'s run-ins with the law aren't a measure of the kind of father he was to Evans Jr. They said they're making every effort to get him out to say goodbye to his son.

FOX6 News reached out to prosecutors in Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties Monday in an effort to get a clearer picture as to the next steps in Evans Sr.'s case. We're awaiting a response from them.





Meanwhile, a source told FOX6 News Monday police haven't identified the actual shooter in this case.

Memorial for Justin Evans Jr.



Official word is that the investigation is ongoing.