By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A 17-year-old has been charged with capital murder in the fatal shooting of Aldorthia Burrell, an 82-year-old great-great-grandmother killed earlier this month when she was caught in crossfire outside her Birmingham home.
Police Chief Michael Pickett announced the arrest Saturday, saying the teen suspect is being held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail. Because of his age, his name has not been released.
“We got him,” Pickett told reporters, calling the arrest the result of persistent teamwork by detectives and community members. “We knew the impact of this one and it was important this person was not walking the streets for an extra second of time.”
Burrell was killed around 7:55 p.m. on Sept. 3 at her Balsam Avenue home in Jones Valley. Her daughter, Audrey Burrell, said they had been working on the porch when gunfire erupted during a nearby argument. A bullet shattered the glass door, striking her mother in the head. Aldorthia was rushed to UAB Hospital, where she was pronounced dead less than an hour later.
Loved ones described her as fun-loving, devoted to her church, and deeply committed to her family. She enjoyed sewing, reading her Bible, and encouraging others to worship. Burrell raised three children and leaves behind grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild.
The case drew outrage across Birmingham, with more than $18,000 raised in reward money. Pickett said detectives began with few leads but used a new investigative approach that quickly led to the suspect.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.