Alabama mom speaks of 2-year-old’s last minutes before being shot

Published 6:12 am Tuesday, February 23, 2021

The mother of a 2-year-old Birmingham child who was shot and killed two weeks ago is speaking out for the first time, describing her son’s last minutes as officials called on anyone with knowledge of the crime to come forward.

Al.com reported that Briahn Smith spoke publicly Thursday about the night on Feb. 4 when someone unleashed a hail of bullets at the apartment, killing her son Major Turner. She was part of a candlelight vigil in front of the apartment to remember the child and call for community assistance to find his killer.

“All I know is that night we were on the couch and we were fixing to go to sleep and my baby’s last words to me were, ‘Thank you,”’ said the 29-year-old Smith, the news outlet reported. “He was trying to put some cover on me because I was pregnant.”

Neighbors reported hearing as many as ten shots that evening. Smith and her son were rushed to the hospital where Major was pronounced dead early Friday morning.

“They just started shooting,” Smith said. “It was scary. I prayed. I prayed the whole time they were shooting. I prayed in the ambulance ride to the hospital. I prayed walking over to the hospital. I prayed while they were operating on my baby. I didn’t leave the hospital, holding him and rocking him. That was my baby.”

There have been few tips to go on in the case, Al.com reported, and no one has been arrested in connection with the shooting. Sheriff Mark Pettway, who attended the vigil along with other officials and many police officers, asked anyone with information to reach out to authorities.

“We know the streets talk,” Pettway said. “Come forward with the information you have.”