Two children shot in separate Birmingham incidents on Mother’s Day are recovering, and one of them is already home with her family.
An 8-year-old girl was injured in a barrage of gunfire Sunday night in Gate City’s Marks Village public housing community.
Parents, students rally for safety at Parkside Preparatory AcademyParents, students rally for safety at Parkside Preparatory Academy
An 11-year-old boy was seriously injured when someone opened fire on him and his father while they were in a vehicle on the city’s west side.
Additionally, a 14-year-old boy was shot multiple times in Center Point, outside of Birmingham’s city limits, and remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
Birmingham police Chief Scott Thurmond on Monday addressed the shootings.
“These unfortunate events are deeply saddening and absolutely unacceptable,’’ he said. “We need to acknowledge the shared responsibility we carry to ensure the safety of our children.”
“Resolving conflicts, particularly those involving guns, holds paramount significance,’’ he said.
Thurmond urged anyone with information to come forward.
“Gun violence, whenever it occurs, is senseless but it is especially heinous when the victims our are children,’’ said Birmingham City Councilman Hunter Williams, a member of the council’s Public Safety Committee.
“It’s a stark reminder that we must unite as a city with a zero-tolerance policy against such atrocities,’’ Williams said. “Our youth should not be subjected to these acts of violence that are an immediate threat to their future.”
Birmingham police Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said Monday the 8-year-old girl was grazed multiple times. She was treated for her injuries and returned home with her family without being admitted to the hospital.
In that case, Birmingham police about 9 p.m. began receiving multiple Shot Spotter alerts.
Those shots included nine rounds fired at 68th Street and Kimberly Avenue, 16 rounds at 67th Street and Joppa Avenue, three rounds at 68th Street and Oporto-Madrid Boulevard, four rounds at 68th Street and Joppa Avenue, 20 rounds at 67th Street and Kimberly Avenue, and nine rounds in the 400 block of Interlaken Court.
Police then learned the girl had shown up by private vehicle at Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Station 12 on First Avenue North. She was taken to Children’s of Alabama but was not admitted.
Investigators believe a shootout was taking place when the 8-year-old was caught in the crossfire while in a vehicle with one of her parents. No one in the vehicle was involved in the shootout, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald.
He said 60 to 70 people were gathered outside in the public housing community at numerous Mother’s Day or family gatherings when at least 70 shots were exchanged.
