A 12-Year-Old Boy Injured in West Birmingham Amidst Father’s Dispute Resulting in Gunfire
Unfortunate Turn of Events
12-year-old boy injured during an altercation that escalated to gunfire in West Birmingham, Alabama over the weekend.
A dispute between two men resulted in gunfire, leading to a 12-year-old boy being caught in the crossfire. The boy was injured in the upper body at a home in the west Birmingham neighborhood. The incident occurred just before 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The boy’s injuries, though not life-threatening, required immediate medical attention.
Immediate Response
Upon receiving a report of a person being shot, the West Precinct officers were immediately dispatched to the 4900 block of Avenue Q, located in the Central Park neighborhood. They found the child at a residence on the 1600 block of 49th Street Ensley, not far from the scene of the incident. He was promptly transported to Children’s of Alabama by the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service.
Investigation Ongoing
Investigators revealed that the argument was between two men, one of whom is believed to be the boy’s father. The men were acquainted with each other. The gunfire exchanged involved one shooter inside the private residence and another outside, firing into the house, where multiple persons were present. The on-site Shot Spotter reported five rounds were fired and several shell casings were found in the street.
Officer Truman Fitzgerald stated, “Neither of the shooters were struck by gunfire. However, a round may have penetrated the house and grazed or shot the 12-year-old.” An investigation is still underway to establish if the boy was grazed by the bullet or directly hit.
Fitzgerald also added that all the involved parties are known to the police, and it is just a matter of gathering as many facts as possible, and presenting the case to the district attorney’s office to determine if anyone will be charged. The outcome of the charges is largely dependent on who fired the first shot, and who was the aggressor in the dispute.
Further Developments
The homeowner remained at the scene and is fully cooperating with the police in the investigations. The second shooter, however, had fled the scene. Despite this, the officers are confident in the details of his identity.
In reflection of the incident, Fitzgerald expressed his regret with the situation and said, “It’s just another situation where two adults have a disagreement, shots are fired, and an innocent party is struck by gunfire.”
This is a developing story.
