Advertisement 3 men arrested in connection with child's shooting death Mother of shooting victim: 'Put your guns down' Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Three men have been arrested in connection with the investigation into the death of a 5-year-old girl this week.Omaha police said Jaylen Montgomery, 18; Vincent Hicks, 20; and Adonus Moses, 22, were booked each on a count of theft by receiving. However, police have not confirmed whether the men were involved in the shooting of Payton Benson.-- Video: 3 men jailed for theft of SUV used in girl's killingOfficers said they believe the men stole a Jeep that was possibly involved in Wednesday's fatal shooting near 45th Street and Bedford Avenue. Authorities tracked down and impounded the vehicle, which was found later that evening near 61st and Spencer streets.According to an Omaha police report, a black 2007 Jeep Commander, similar to the one police suspect is involved in the shooting, was reported stolen from a home near 95th and Sprague streets on Dec. 15."They came to my house and ransacked the whole place, stole a bunch of stuff -- my TV, my laptop, my daughters play games,” said Zubi Anyaegbunam, owner of stolen Jeep."Now, I don't even feel pain for me, just for this family that lost the little girl. You know material things can be replaced, you know life cannot (be replaced).”An Omaha police cruiser and crime lab van were seen at Montgomery’s apartment complex Thursday -- the same place where police found the Jeep Wednesday.KETV NewsWatch 7 spoke with Montgomery’s mother who fought back tears when asked about her son being involved in the shooting. She said she was worried and all she can do now is pray.“He's a good kid, but the one thing I can do is put it in the Lord’s hands,” she said.A memorial fund has been set up for the family of Payton Benson, and Omaha Crime Stoppers is now offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.The reward is a result of donations made to increase the amount from $5,000, which is the highest Crime Stoppers offers from its general fund. At a news conference Thursday, Payton Benson's mother, Tabatha Manning, said she's grateful for the community, the police and the mayor, who have stepped up to support the family in the wake of the community's latest tragedy."My daughter is definitely getting a lot of (love) from the community right now," Manning said.-- VIDEO: Family talks to media day after fatal shootingManning took a few moments Thursday to describe her daughter."She was always so happy, smiling," Manning said. "I'm gonna miss her."City Councilman Ben Gray, great uncle of the victim, announced the Payton Benson Memorial Fund. Donations can be made at any American National Bank location.-- Watch: Police hold news conference on girl's shooting death-- Video: Community reacts to Payton Benson's deathAuthorities were sent to the area of 45th Street and Bedford Avenue for a report of gunshots fired around 9:45 a.m. Wednesday.Investigators found a juvenile female victim at the scene. Officer Michael Pecha said the girl was taken in extremely critical condition to Alegent Creighton Health Creighton University Medical Center, where she later died.Despite the violent tragedy, the family maintained a tone of peace and forgiveness throughout Thursday afternoon's news conference."Put your guns down," Manning said. "I'd like to invite the people that are responsible for this to come forward."-- Watch: Family seeks end to violence after 5-year-old’s death"We're asking that there not be any retaliation," said Gray.At a press conference Wednesday night, Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said the bullets came from a shooting near 44th and Emmett streets, which is a block away from where the girl was shot. Multiple people and multiple weapons were involved in the gunfire."I promise the family, this community, that my homicide investigators, my gang investigators will work around the clock, leaving no stone unturned," Schmaderer said. Schmaderer said the girl was inside her home eating breakfast with her mother when she was hit by a bullet. Her father was identified as Marvin Benson."I just want my baby back," Marvin Benson said. "That's it."“She was inside the house putting her plate up. She just got done eating breakfast,” said Massey Allen, the girl’s second cousin. "I saw her and her mom outside screaming, yelling."Allen told reporters he heard about 20 shots. Police said the girl and her family were not targeted."We have information. We have leads in this case. This is not a situation where we have nothing to follow up on. This is a solvable case, and we are going to work it extremely hard," Schmaderer said.-- View a list of violent juvenile deaths in Omaha"You know who you are, and law enforcement will find out who you are. It may not have been your bullet that struck this is girl, so do the right thing and do yourself a favor in the process. Come down and talk to law enforcement and tell us what you know," Schmaderer said. Members of the Empowerment Network gathered with Benson’s family members at the hospital shortly after the shooting.“She's there living life, eating breakfast and then a stray bullet comes in -- that's unacceptable,” said Rev. Bruce Williams, with Hope Glory Church."Being a parent of a 6-year-old, I can't even imagine, but the family has been amazingly strong, and I think a part of that is their faith but also the response from the community has been overwhelming,” said Willie Barney, with the Empowerment Network. "This family is going to grow and stay together, and we are going to make things happen in the name of Payton," Gray said.More than 100 people gathered outside Benson’s home for a vigil Thursday night. “You saw people of different nationalities here willing to work together and come together and let everyone know that we want to solve this crime and we want the violence to stop in our community,” said Rev. Gregory Ashley, with St John Missionary Baptist Church."Every fatal shooting in our community saddens me, but this one makes me angry," said County Board Chair Mary Ann Borgeson. "Payton Benson and her family have been robbed of so many wonderful life experiences. On behalf of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, I extend our profound sympathies and pledge our continued engagement as we search for an end to the ongoing tragedy of violence in our community."Anyone with information on the case should call a detective at 402-444-5652. If you want to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers at 402-444-7867.