New Charges Levied Against Two Birmingham Men in Connection to Shooting of 16-Year-Old Boy in Hoover
In a recent turn of events, new charges have been brought against two Birmingham men, Marlon Kentral Williams and Bryan DeCarlos Mills Jr., in connection with the shooting of a 16-year-old boy in Hoover.
Earlier Charges and Latest Development
Previously, Williams, age 21, and Mills were charged with attempted murder, in relation to the aforementioned shooting. While Williams is currently being held in the Jefferson County Jail, Mills is still in hospital recuperating from gunshot wounds sustained during the incident.
Lt. Daniel Lowe on Thursday announced the filing of additional charges against the pair, which includes two counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and discharging a firearm into an unoccupied vehicle. Furthermore, Williams has been charged with first-degree receiving stolen property.
Specifics of the Crime
According to Lt. Lowe, bullets fired by Williams and Mills entered two apartments, the victim’s vehicle, and another vehicle that was unoccupied during the shooting. When Williams was taken into custody, he was driving a vehicle reported stolen to Hoover police in March.
The total bond for Williams is set at $400,000. Upon release from hospital, Mills will be held on $440,000 bond.
Timeline of The Incident
The shooting transpired around 7:15 a.m. on Monday. Officers were dispatched to The Benton Apartments on Primm Lane after multiple 911 calls were made reporting gunfire. As per Lt. Lowe, the 16-year-old victim was at this location, sitting in his vehicle awaiting his family to take him to school, when the two accused men approached the vehicle and initiated the shooting. Two individuals emerged from a nearby apartment and fired several rounds at the culprits who then fled in a vehicle.
At approximately 8 a.m., Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office informed Hoover police about Mills, who had arrived at the McAdory Fire Department with a gunshot wound. Investigators soon determined Mills to be one of the suspects in the teen’s shooting. The other suspect, Williams, was identified as the driver who had transported the injured Mills to the fire department.
The two individuals who returned fire are currently not facing charges. Lt. Lowe stated that detectives found no evidence suggesting that the victim had any part in leading to his shooting and believe that he might have been misidentified as another individual whom the suspects may have been targeting.
Local Impact and Reactions
This incident has once again sparked discussions on community safety, gun control, and the regulation of juvenile justice in the State of Alabama. Families, local stakeholders, and law enforcement agencies are hoping for a swift and rightful justice in this case which has shocked the residents of Birmingham and brought grief to the victim’s family.
