Last Sunday afternoon, a dispute arose near the Kingston community on 47-th Street North, in Birmingham that’s resulted in the tragic death of a 4-year old child.
According to AL.com, an argument erupted over a game of dice that later resulted in a shootout. One bullet struck 4-year-old Taleayah Stafford, who died yesterday at Children’s of Alabama.
A 68-year-old woman who happened to be driving by the scene with another child was also struck by a stray bullet from the gunfight, and she remains hospitalized.
Addressing Taleayah’s senseless death, the article quoted Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper as saying,
This entire situation is so sad. The reckless behavior of people who should know better caused this precious child to lose her life. We will look to get the charges upgraded as we continue to investigate the entire incident.
Antonio Fowler, 26, has been arrested. He was initially charged with one count of attempted murder and two counts of first-degree assault, but those charges are likely to be upgraded following Taleayah’s death.
Details of the shooting have not yet emerged, but reports indicate that Fowler and Taleayah’s father apparently had a dispute with a third man over a game of dice. With Taleayah in tow, the two men returned to the scene of the dispute, according to Birmingham Police Sean Edwards. Fowler and Taleayah’s father got out of their vehicle to confront their adversary, leaving Taleayah inside the car alone. Fowler allegedly pulled his gun first, and a shootout ensued. Taleayah was struck in the head while sitting in the car alone.
One can only imagine the terror this child endured in her last moments on earth.
Lt. Roper was quoted as saying,
“This incident is another example of someone thinking a firearm is the answer to all of life’s problems. The bottom line is Mr. Fowler and others like him care absolutely nothing about the community. The investigation continues, but the reckless disregard for the lives of others is appalling.”
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