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
Celeste Gusman, 66, Dies After Stabbing at Kalihi Business in Honolulu; Police Investigate as Homicide
HONOLULU, Hawaii — A 66-year-old woman has died following a stabbing at a business in Honolulu’s Kalihi neighborhood, leaving her family, friends, and the local community grieving a tragic loss.
The victim was identified as Celeste Gusman, according to the Honolulu Police Department. Officers responded to a business in the 2300 block of North School Street at approximately 3:20 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a report of a stabbing.
When officers arrived, they found Gusman suffering from a stab wound. Emergency medical personnel quickly began providing advanced lifesaving treatment at the scene before transporting her to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, Gusman later succumbed to her injuries.
Authorities also reported that another woman, who is in her 60s, sustained minor injuries during the incident. According to the information released, she was injured in a fall amid the disturbance and was transported to a hospital in stable condition.
No further details about the circumstances surrounding the second woman’s injuries have been provided.
Following the incident, police initially arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder. After Gusman died from her injuries, authorities reclassified the case as a murder investigation.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the stabbing. Police have not yet released information about what may have triggered the incident or whether the suspect knew Gusman.
The suspect’s arrest and the ongoing investigation do not establish guilt. Further details are expected as authorities continue gathering evidence and determining the events that led to the fatal attack.
The death of Celeste Gusman at 66 has brought sadness to those affected by this incident. A place of business in a familiar neighborhood became the scene of a tragedy, and loved ones are now facing the difficult reality of losing someone important to them.
While many questions remain unanswered, the loss of life has deeply affected the community. Friends, relatives, and neighbors are left remembering Gusman and hoping that the investigation will bring clarity about what happened.
Please keep Celeste Gusman’s family, friends, and loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time. The injured woman and everyone affected by the incident also deserve support as they recover.
May Celeste Gusman rest in peace. May her loved ones find comfort, strength, and healing in the days ahead.