A 13-year-old boy in Alabama was tragically shot to death while sleeping in his bed, marking one of a series of gun-related deaths in the state over the weekend. The victim, identified as Allen T. Thomas, was inside his home in the 1200 block of 13th Street North when one or more suspects opened fire just before 10 p.m. Friday, according to Bessemer police.
The boy was rushed to Alabama Children’s Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries at 2:58 a.m. Saturday. “My baby didn’t deserve this,” said Erica Chaney, Allen’s mother. “He was in his bed sleeping. He doesn’t even know what happened to him. “I’m so heartbroken.”
Police Detective Justin Burmeister revealed that the house was riddled with bullet holes on the left side, evidence from Friday’s shooting. According to witnesses at the scene, damage to a large window on the right side of the front door was due to an earlier shooting. The motive remains unclear and no arrests have been made, he said. WVTM News 13.
Mayor Kenneth Gulley expressed his condolences in a statement over the weekend, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to the Chaney-Thomas family as they grieve the devastating loss of their loved one to gun violence.”
“This is unacceptable,” the mayor continued. “As your mayor, I want to assure you that we will exhaust all resources and avenues to bring those responsible for this heinous act to justice.” He also called on the community to “choose peace over violence” and seek non-violent solutions to conflicts, emphasizing that “this anarchy cannot and will not define who we are as a city.”
Allen, described as a cheerful and caring high school student, was the city’s second homicide victim of the year. “My baby was the sweetest, happiest baby I could have ever had,” Chaney said through tears. “There was never a dull moment while he was around. He never missed a day to tell me that he loves me.”
Bessemer’s first homicide of 2025 occurred earlier with the death of 65-year-old Elijah Mack Jr. As the investigation continues, Allen’s family and community are faced with the senseless loss of a young life tragically cut short.