Alabama boy, 13, killed in his bedroom during drive-by shooting
10/19/2021 1:16 pm PDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (TCD) -- A 13-year-old boy who was sitting in his room playing on his iPad Friday night was killed in a drive-by shooting.
Tuscaloosa Police Department Chief Brent Blankley said in a video officers responded to a shooting call at approximately 6:20 p.m. in the city's Washington Square neighborhood and found the 13-year-old dead with a gunshot wound to the head. Police identified the victim as Kei'lan Allen.
According to Tuscaloosa Police, there was such a large amount of shell casings on the street that officers "had to pull business cards from their wallets to fold and use as temporary evidence markers."
The Police Department announced Monday that they arrested three suspects: 19-year-old Jaden Zaire Jenkins; 21-year-old Julian Lamont Gordon; and 18-year-old James Deanthony Reed. All three men were charged with capital murder and are in custody without bond.
In Reed's arrest announcement, Tuscaloosa Police said they believe he was "targeting one of Kei’lan’s older family members."
AL.com reports Kei'lan was the oldest child and had three little sisters. His cousin Corey Prewitt described him as a "very smart kid" and "future valedictorian" who loved reading, art, and technology.
Tuscaloosa Police said they are continuing to investigate additional suspects.
MORE:
- Chief Brent Blankley statement - Tuscaloosa Police Department
- Tuscaloosa Police Department Facebook
- James Deanthony Reed arrest - Tuscaloosa Police Department
- Arrest Update - Tuscaloosa Police Department
- ‘A phenomenal kid’: Family stunned by death of Alabama 13-year-old fatally shot while playing on iPad in bed - AL.com