A family gathering meant to honor a recently deceased relative ended in tragedy Saturday night in Birmingham, leaving the community shocked and mourning. Authorities confirmed that 43-year-old Sonny Arrington of Clarksville, Tennessee, and 76-year-old Carlton Rufus Allen of Birmingham were fatally shot inside an Ensley apartment at the Tuxedo Terrace complex off 20th Street.
The gathering followed a funeral for 29-year-old Ja’Oree Marquel Brown-Allen, who had been shot and killed in Fairfield just a week prior. The intended moment of mourning and family support instead turned into another devastating loss.
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Shooting Details
Police reported that gunfire erupted shortly before 11:30 p.m., injuring a woman who was rushed to UAB Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Multiple relatives were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting, compounding the emotional impact of the incident.
Authorities have arrested a 26-year-old woman, identified as Arrington’s niece and Allen’s great-niece, in connection with the shooting. She is currently held at the Birmingham City Jail as investigators prepare formal capital murder charges involving two or more victims. Early evidence suggests the suspect fired from outside the apartment, though the motive remains under investigation.
Birmingham police officers, working closely with Bessemer authorities, apprehended the suspect within two hours after the shooting. Officer Truman Fitzgerald praised the swift arrest, highlighting the cooperation and dedication of law enforcement agencies.
Remembering the Victims
Friends and family remember Sonny Arrington as a devoted husband and father who worked tirelessly to provide for his family. He is survived by his wife, Candace, and their seven children—two daughters and five sons. A GoFundMe page honoring Arrington describes him as “a kind and compassionate person who deeply loved his family.”
The loss of Arrington and Allen comes at a time of profound grief for the family, already mourning the death of Ja’Oree Brown-Allen. The community continues to grapple with the tragedy, as investigations into the circumstances of the shooting proceed.