Mayor Woodfin Announces $125,000 Fund Through Public Safety Partnership to Combat Gun Violence Against Children
Birmingham, AL – Mayor Randall L. Woodfin announced today a public safety partnership which has secured $125,000 to combat gun violence against children in the City of Birmingham. Crime Stoppers will administer the Gun Violence Against Children Fund in order to provide reward money for information leading to the arrest of individuals responsible in five separate cases involving children under the age of 10. A $25,000 reward will be available for each case.
“Since January, there have been too many children under the age of 10 who have been shot in the city,” Mayor Woodfin said. “There is a line that is crossed when children are hurt. No one has the luxury to sit on the sideline. I join our partners in appealing to the public to come forward if you have information to get the shooters and cowards who hurt children off the street.”
In coordination with Mayor Woodfin, faith leaders representing more than 20 churches and organizations in the city committed to creating the Gun Violence Against Children Fund. These faith organizations provided contributions ranging from $500 to $10,000.
“We have the power to be the change we want to see in Birmingham,” said Pastor Thomas Beavers of New Rising Star Church. “This is the reason that all of us have stepped up. This is the reason that all of us have chosen to be part of this effort.”
The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) has committed $25,000.
“Enough is enough. HABD has dedicated resources to this effort to be part of the change in our city to make sure people come forward and provide this information. I am thankful to the HABD Board of Commissioners for supporting this partnership,” said David Northern, president and CEO of HABD.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has made a commitment of $10,000.
“Reducing the firearms related to violent acts that adversely affect our communities is the priority of ATF and our partners. We are focused on leveraging the resources of public safety organizations combined with the support and backing of the community to offer positive alternatives which will ultimately provide a safe environment embracing the innocent children within the City of Birmingham,” said Mickey French, ATF Special Agent in Charge.
The rewards will be offered through Crime Stoppers. People with information about the cases can call 205-254-7777 to provide information.
“We know people know who committed these crimes against children. We are prepared to pay a reward. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call Crime Stoppers. All of our tipsters are anonymous. We provide that tip to law enforcement and if it benefits law enforcement, we provide that tax-free reward to the tipster,” said Frank Barefield, president and chairman of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama.
The five cases identified for the Gun Violence Against Children Fund are:
- Feb. 4, 2021: Someone fired shots into two-year-old Major Turner’s home around 10 p.m. in the Kimbrough Homes Housing Community. Turner died on Feb. 5, 2021.
- April 4, 2021: A five-year-old boy was one of five people shot and injured at Patton Park on Easter Sunday shortly before 7 p.m. A 32-year-old woman was killed in the incident in the 1200 block of Sipsey Street.
- May 7, 2021: A nine-year-old boy was injured when someone fired into his home in the 4700 block of Avenue T.
- May 18, 2021: An eight-year-old girl was shot and injured in her car after her family stopped to help another motorist in the 1400 block of Warrior Road around 9:30 p.m.
- May 22, 2021: A five-year-old boy was shot and injured along with two adults in their car in the 8300 block of 1st Avenue North.
No one has been arrested in these cases.
A sixth child under the age of 10 was shot and injured in the 200 block of Boxwood Circle on Feb. 27, 2021. Two people were arrested in that case. The incident will not be part of the reward fund.
Briahn Smith, Major Smith’s mother, said she counted 41 bullet holes in her home after the Feb. 4, 2021 shooting at Kimbrough Homes. She hopes the reward money will bring justice in her son’s death and that people will stop violence. After the news conference, several pastors surrounded her and prayed for her.
“Major has had a big impact on me, so I really need the prayers. Other people have prayed for me,’’ Smith said. “I need all the prayers, and I’m going to need them for a long time.’’
The churches and pastors involved in the Gun Violence Against Children Fund include:
· 45th Street Baptist, Pastor Andra Sparks
· Birmingham Islamic Society, Ashfaq Taufique
· Birmingham Metro Baptist Association
· Church of the Highlands, Pastor Chris Hodges
· Faith Chapel, Pastor Mike Moore
· Faith Walkers Church, Pastor Kelvin Bryant
· Greater New Heights Missionary Baptist, Pastor Alphonso Bowen
· Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Michael Wesley
· Guiding Light Church, Bishop Jim Lowe, Sr.
· Independent Presbyterian Church
· More Than Conquerors, Pastor Steve Green
· Mt. Zion Cathedral, Bishop Awalski Moore
· New Rising Star Church, Pastor Thomas Beavers
· Rebirth Christian Fellowship, Pastor Doug Taylor
· Refresh Church, Bishop Stephen Davis
· Revelation Church Ministries, Pastor Mike McClure, Sr.
· The Rock Church, Pastor Mike McClure, Jr.
· Sardis Missionary Baptist, Rev. Kurt Clark
· Sixth Avenue Baptist, Pastor John Cantelow III
· Temple Beth-El, Rabbi Steven Slater
· Trinity Baptist, Rev. John King
· Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham, Rev. Julie Conrady
· Vapor Thrift Store, Church of the Highlands
· The Worship Center, Bishop Van Moody
Video of the news conference may be viewed at https://youtu.be/E_q6d4MySfE
