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$25K Reward Offered To Catch Brooklyn Toddler's Killer

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The search continued Tuesday for both a suspect and witnesses in a shooting that left a 16-month-old boy dead in Brownsville, Brooklyn, this past weekend.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Tuesday that the NYPD has leads on the suspect in the shooting that killed Antiq Hennis on Sunday evening. A reward of $25,000 has been offered.

Community leaders told 1010 WINS they believe they know who was responsible for the shooting. They said they believe the boy's father was the intended target. The suspected gunman and the victim's father are members of rival gangs, sources told CBS 2.

Antiq Hennis
Antiq Hennis (credit: handout)

"He was everything," Cherisse Miller told reporters, including CBS 2's Tony Aiello, about her slain toddler Tuesday after she tidied up a memorial for Antiq outside her home.

When asked if she would like to say anything to the person who pulled the trigger, Miller answered: "I don't know what to say. He never should've done this."

Antiq was struck by a bullet around 7:20 p.m. Sunday on Livonia Avenue at Bristol Street, about a block from his home, police said. The boy was pronounced dead after being rushed to Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center.

Kelly said Antiq's father was taking the toddler to visit his grandparents. Four bullets were fired, two struck the stroller. Police have been trying to interview the father, Anthony Hennis, 22, but they said he has not been cooperative, Kelly said. Hennis has a lengthy arrest record and recently spent 60 days behind bars for heroin possession.

Hennis, 22, angrily approached photographers outside his home Tuesday and tussled with several, shouting obscenities, Aiello reported.

Community activist Troy Hebert said it's time for the boy's father to step up and speak to police.

"We respect you," he told Hennis through the media. "We got your back. We're here you you. But you've got to help us out."

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