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Oakland Man Charged With Murder In 3-Year-Old's Shooting Death

OAKLAND (CBS 5 / KCBS) -- Oakland police have booked a man on a murder charge stemming from a drive-by shooting that killed a 3-year-old boy.

Jail booking records reviewed by CBS 5 on Thursday identified the man as Lawrence Denard of Oakland. It was unclear whether he was one of the two men who were detained in Pittsburg on Tuesday following the boy's shooting death.

Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts was quoted by the Associated Press as saying that investigators had uncovered "key evidence" in the shooting of young Carlos Nava.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

The boy was in a stroller with his parents near a grocery store on Monday when as many as 10 shots were fired from a car.

Police said it appears two other men were the intended targets and that Nava, who was in the area shopping with his family, was hit by accident.

"The brazen and senseless violence that took the life of an innocent 3-year-old has devastated a family and stunned our community," District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said in a statement.

Edward Benton is Denard's cousin and said he is being framed by people in the community. He claims Denton would never harm a child.

"He's a loving person. He takes care of his child and makes sure his child is alright," said Benton. " All I've seen is that he tries to make it better for his child."

Benton said his cousin is the victim of a witch hunt, someone who has to take the fall because a toddler was killed.

Denard is expected to enter a plea later this month.

KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:

People who want to make contributions should send them to the Carlitos Nava Fund at Wells Fargo's San Leandro Marina branch. The account number is 3981855954.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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