Crime
Victims killed in domestic shooting inside Birmingham apartment identified as Sonny Arrington and Carlton Allen
A Tennessee father of seven was among two family members killed in a late-night domestic shooting inside a Birmingham apartment, authorities confirmed.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Sonny Arrington, 43, of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Carlton Rufus Allen, 76, of Birmingham.
The fatal shooting occurred as relatives had gathered for a family barbecue following the funeral of a 29-year-old man who had been shot and killed in Fairfield one week earlier.
A 26-year-old woman, who is Arrington’s niece and Allen’s great-niece, has been arrested and is currently being held in the Birmingham City Jail pending formal charges for capital murder involving two or more victims, authorities said.
The suspect’s sister was also wounded in the shooting but is expected to survive. She was transported to UAB Hospital, where doctors determined her injuries were not life-threatening.
The gunfire erupted just before 11:30 p.m. Saturday at an apartment located in the Tuxedo Terrace complex off 20th Street in the Ensley neighborhood.
Officers from the West Precinct arrived to find Allen and Arrington deceased at the scene, along with the wounded sister.
Police confirmed that multiple family members were inside the apartment when the shooting occurred.
Investigators also reported that the number of shots fired was in the double digits.
According to Officer Truman Fitzgerald, preliminary evidence indicates that a family member fired gunshots into the apartment from outside the residence.
“We don’t yet know what sparked the argument,” Fitzgerald said. “What we do know is that this is one large, closely connected family.”
The Birmingham Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) was immediately deployed, and officers received a tip that the suspect may have been headed toward Bessemer.
Working alongside Bessemer police, authorities located and arrested the suspect at a residence in Bessemer approximately two hours after the shooting.
“A capital murder suspect being taken into custody within two hours of the shooting speaks to the focus and dedication of our officers and the strength of our partnership with our fellow law enforcement agencies,” Fitzgerald stated.
With the deaths of Allen and Arrington, Birmingham has now recorded its 78th and 79th homicides of the year.
Family members described Sonny Arrington as a devoted husband and father. A GoFundMe page established to assist his family described him as “a kind and compassionate person who deeply loved his family.” His death leaves behind his wife, Candace, and their seven children — two daughters and five sons — as they face the difficult realities of grief and financial uncertainty, especially with the holidays approaching.
Relatives confirmed that many family members had gathered at the apartment following the funeral of Ja’Oree Marquel Brown-Allen, whose death one week earlier had already left the family in mourning.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Crime
Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
BEND, Oregon — Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.
The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.
Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.
Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.
Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.
For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.
The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.
The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.
The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.
Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.
Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.
Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.
“The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,” he said.
His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as “Coach Megan,” was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.
Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.
The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.
For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.
For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.
Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.
As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.
Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.