Community activist calls for action after Birmingham shooting leaves teenager dead and child injured

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A nearby teenager was killed in an act of senseless violence that shocked members of the Birmingham community Wednesday.

A 15-year-old girl has been shot and killed, and her five-year-old brother is hospitalized after being shot in the leg. Their pregnant mother was unharmed but was also hospitalized.

Birmingham police report the suspect — who is in custody — shot at their Park Place apartment home.

Just a few hours after the scene cleared, families were playing basketball on the courts and picnicking in the park.

“No one is shocked,” said community activist Harry “Traveling Shoes” Turner. “It’s just that wow, it happened again and this time it was closer to me.”

Although Turner did not know the family personally, she broke down in tears after hearing the news. He then went out into the community to check on the neighbors.

“I wish people would go away,” Turner said. “Get in your car. Leaves. Bite your fingers, bite your nails until that spirit of anger, that spirit of murder, leaves you. But that’s not happening.”

Anthony Roseman has lived in Central City all his life and never thought something like this would happen in his neighborhood.

“Since they passed this you-can-carry law, anyone can carry a gun,” Roseman said. “Murder after murder after murder. Revenge after revenge after revenge. It makes no sense.”

Roseman also had strong feelings about the community that seemed largely untroubled by the crime.

“How could they have fun at a time like this?” Roseman said. “Especially on a day when babies were being killed right nearby. It’s just sad.”

BPD Chief Scott Thurmond called Wednesday’s shooting heinous, saying it’s ridiculous these things keep happening in the city.

“It’s just unfathomable, it’s just senseless and to continue to see this in our city,” Chief Thurmond said. “It’s just very sad.”