An 18-year-old is dead and another person is injured following a shooting in west Birmingham on Saturday night.
On January 10th, the Birmingham Police Department said Brandon McNeal Campbell, of Pleasant Grove, and Sam Slaughter Jr., also of Pleasant Grove, were found wounded by gunfire in the 1600 block of Tuscaloosa Avenue Southwest at about 11 PM.
Police said West Precinct officers responded to the area after a report of two people shot. Upon arrival, officers found a vehicle had crashed into a tree in the front yard of a residence.
Police said Campbell was found unresponsive in the driver’s seat. Slaughter Jr. was also in the vehicle.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service transported both individuals to a local hospital for treatment. Despite life-saving efforts, Campbell was pronounced dead by hospital staff, according to police. Slaughter Jr. is still being treated.
Jefferson County Schools confirmed the two victims are seniors at Pleasant Grove High School. Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin released the following statement:
“I am deeply saddened that one of our Pleasant Grove High School seniors was killed in an act of violence, and that another senior from the school was seriously injured. I am praying for the injured student’s recovery, as well as both families as they navigate this tragedy. We will do everything we can to support them and the Pleasant Grove High School family. Members of the JEFCOED Cares team will be at the school Monday morning, offering counseling services for any student or staff member who needs support.”
Police said a preliminary investigation indicates that both victims were inside the vehicle and had made arrangements to meet with an unknown subject while in the 1600 block of Woodland Avenue Southwest.
During that meeting, police said a suspect fired multiple gunshots into the vehicle.
Police said Campbell was able to drive the car away from the area but later crashed.
According to Slaughter’s parents, Slaughter Jr. and Campbell were best friends. They said Campbell was a hero who died after helping their son escape.
“They should be preparing for graduation and enjoying their senior year,” Sam Slaughter Sr. said. “He just told me he had gotten accepted to Alabama. He just showed me his prom outfit. They were getting ready to fly. They were really good kids.”
Slaughter’s mother, Lashonda Jackson, said the home where the vehicle was found belongs to a family member.
Jackson said her son was shot three times and grazed once.
“The bullet went through his chest close to his heart, but didn’t hit his heart,” Jackson said. “It went through his back but didn’t hit his spine. In the midst of it all, we are thankful for those things. We are thankful Brandon had enough strength to get him away from the scene. They were able to wreck in his cousin’s yard. That ain’t nobody but God.”
Slaughter’s parents said the two teens were inseparable and that Campbell saved their son’s life.
“That young man didn’t think about his own life,” Slaughter Sr. said. “He thought about Sam’s life and got him out of that situation before he succumbed to his injuries. If it wasn’t for Brandon, Sam would not be here.”
Slaughter’s family said they want answers and justice.
“Whatever the situation was, the outcome was not necessary,” Slaughter Sr. said.
Jackson said the shooting has left the family on edge.
“No one wants to live with the feeling that the person who harmed you is still out there,” she said. “No one should have to worry about looking over their shoulder.”
