Birmingham Shooting: 66-Year-Old Woman Narrowly Escapes; Beloved Local Rapper Killed
Shocking Incident at Home Gathering
A 66-year-old woman narrowly escaped a serious or potentially fatal injury during a deadly shooting that took place on Wednesday night in Birmingham and led to the tragic death of a cherished local rap artist.
The Unfortunate Event
As people were socializing at the residence located on the 700 block of 30th Street S.W., multiple shots shattered the peace and tranquility of the evening at around 8 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, West Precinct officers found Kayla Alexandria Warren, a 28-year-old hip-hop artist who performed under the name 205KayWay, critically injured on the house’s front porch. Despite the best efforts of the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service who rushed her to UAB Hospital, Warren was declared dead shortly before 11 p.m.
Another man was severely wounded in the shooting and was privately taken to Princeton Baptist Medical Center before being shifted to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The investigators believe that the beloved rapper might not have been the intended target but fell victim to the bullets for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A Rising Star Falls
Gone too soon, Warren leaves behind a young daughter. Recalling her cousin, a family member who preferred to remain anonymous said, “She was sweet, very caring. She was a great mom to her daughter.” Warren had been making a name for herself in the local rap scene and had just decided to return to cosmetology school to earn her license.
Life-Saving Escape for Neighbor
Meanwhile, the shooting also had severe repercussions on neighboring residences. Marian Redwine, a 66-year-old local resident, had a narrow escape when the gunfire started. At least six bullets entered her home, specifically her bedroom where she was tucked neatly in her lounge chair in front of her television. As soon as she heard the alarming noise of shots fired, she moved out of her chair, a move that likely saved her life.
“If I’d been in my bed, I’d be dead,” she remarked. Her chilling account of the traumatic incident further detailed that a metal cup containing 20 new ink pens that was placed within her reach exploded due to a bullet, which hurled ink all over her medications and floor. More bullets entered her television that surprisingly survived the ordeal.
Citizen’s Fear
The terrifying incident left Redwine highly disturbed, who, after living in her house for 13 years, confessed to have never been so scared before. The fear has imbued a sense of insecurity in her, leading to the decision of parting with her home as she stated, “I don’t want to move but I’ve got to go now because I don’t feel safe in here”.
Call for Justice
So far, no arrests have been made related to this unfortunate incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
