Reward offered in murder of 10-year-old

October 19, 2007 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Two rewards are being offered in the murder of a 10-year-old Chicago Public Schools honor student. Arthur Jones was shot in the neck and foot near Garfield and Halsted. He was headed to the store to buy some candy.

Chicago Public Schools put up a $5,000 reward, while Fellowship Baptist Church offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in Wednesday's shooting.

Police have no one in custody, but investigators do have leads and hope surveillance tape from businesses close to the shooting scene will help solve the crime.

With the rain pouring down around her, early Thursday morning, Rita Perez spent some time alone on the spot where her 10-year-old son was shot to death.

Arthur Jones was known as A.J. to his family and friends.

"He was the best child ever I had. He was my baby, my best friend, my pride and joy," said Perez.

Around 4:30 Wednesday afternoon, A.J. and a friend were walking to a store to buy candy when the 10-year-old was caught in gang crossfire. Bullets were shot across Garfield Boulevard.

Just 3 hours before he was killed, A.J. posed for his class picture, a photo community members held while A.J.'s pastor pleaded for help.

"If you know who did it, don't blow a whistle, blow a trumpet, sound an alarm," said Rev. Charles Jenkins, Fellowship Baptist Church.

Arthur Jones is the 7th Chicago Public Schools student killed this school year.

With a memorial of stuffed animals and A.J.'s favorite toys behind them, pastors, police and CPS members had a message for gang members.

"Those who are involved in activities that result in this kind of thing, we're putting you on notice that it has to change," said Vance Henry, CAPS director.

A.J. was in the fifth grade at Holmes Elementary. Thursday, crisis counselors were on hand to help students grieve.

"A lot of tears. A lot of fear. And so we will be with the students in writing their fears in drawings and seeing what we can do in discussion in their classroom," said Dorothy Naughton, Holmes school principal.

A.J. was a new student at Holmes Elementary. The 10-year-old was one of nine children. Family says he loved model cars and wrestling action figures. Police say he is the innocent victim of a gang war that is ongoing along Garfield Boulevard.

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