Minneapolis father charged with murder after allegedly encouraging son to avenge younger brother, police say

The father of a teenager accused of fatally shooting a 12-year-old boy in Minnesota is now also charged in connection to the murder, police said.

On Sept. 8, London Bean was allegedly involved in a fight with the younger brother of Jeremiah Grady, 18, in Minneapolis, KMSP-TV reported.

During the altercation, police and witnesses alleged, Grady, wearing a mask, came around the side of a home, pointed a gun at Bean and fired multiple shots. Bean was struck twice and died from his injuries.

Grady then went on the run until authorities took him into custody on Nov. 8.

According to charging documents, following previous fights, the alleged shooter’s father, Letterance Grady, 40, encouraged the teenager to defend his younger sibling.

"[Letterance Grady] is seen on video driving his son, Jeremiah Grady, to and from the scene of the shooting,” the documents read. “In an interview the night of the shooting, he denied his role as the driver of the suspect vehicle and attempted to distance himself from the murder.”

However, the documents continue, “Jeremiah Grady and his brother both told police in recorded interviews that on the day of the shooting, [Letterance Grady] encouraged them to retaliate against the victim's family by shooting.”

Letterance Grady, the documents allege, “told Jeremiah Grady that he needed to retaliate for the bullying” and “told Jeremiah Grady to shoot out of the car.”

KMSP-TV reported Letterance Grady allegedly later told police he drove his older son to the scene and was present during the incident, but he denied encouraging the shooting.

Letterance is charged with second-degree murder.

“It tears my heart apart. It is horrible,” community activist K.G. Wilson told KSTP-TV. “Parents have to really be positive role models for their children.”