BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Police in Alabama charged a 29-year-old woman with capital murder in the death of a 5-year-old boy who was shot in the head during an argument between family members.
Rickkia Allen was booked into jail Tuesday night, where she’s being held without bond, Birmingham police confirmed. Allen’s relationship to the child, Ta’Narius “TJ” Moore Jr., wasn’t disclosed. TJ’s mother was also involved in the altercation, Chief Patrick Smith said. Police aren’t expecting anyone else to be charged at this time, Sgt. Johnny Williams said.
Allen is accused of being involved in the argument outside a north Birmingham apartment complex on Saturday in which she and another woman fired weapons at each other, Sgt. Johnny Williams said at the time. The kindergartner was in a car nearby when a bullet struck his head, Williams added. He would’ve turned six next month, his grandmother told news outlets.
Allen pleaded guilty this year to a misdemeanor charge of carrying a pistol without a license, court records show. She received a 12-month suspended sentence. Last year, she was accused of intentionally striking a man with her vehicle, and was charged with attempted murder, Al.com reported. That charge was forwarded to a grand jury but it wasn’t immediately clear if the case has been presented yet, the newspaper said.
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