What was meant to be a time of mourning and togetherness instead became a scene of chaos and heartbreak.
Police say a dispute at a family wake in Birmingham, Alabama, ended with gunfire that killed two relatives and left another wounded — all within moments.
An Argument That Escalated Beyond Control
According to investigators, tensions flared inside an apartment at the Tuxedo Terrace complex in Ensley late on the night of December 6.
Family members had gathered at the home of Rory Dawson, grieving the recent death of Ja’Oree Marquel Brown-Allen, who had been fatally shot a week earlier in Fairfield.
During the gathering, an argument broke out between 35-year-old Jasmine Allen and one of her sisters.
Detectives say the dispute centered on accusations that Allen had been disrespectful toward their mother.
A Threat, Then Silence — Then Gunfire
Witnesses told police the argument didn’t end quietly.
After the confrontation, Allen allegedly announced she was going to retrieve a gun. Those words, prosecutors say, were followed by deadly action just minutes later.
Shortly before 11:30 p.m., gunshots tore through the closed front door of the apartment while family members were inside eating after the funeral.
Ten Shots Through a Closed Door
Investigators say Allen fired roughly 10 rounds directly into the apartment.
When officers arrived, the damage was immediately visible — bullet holes riddled the front door, and two men were found lying in the hallway.
Seventy-six-year-old Carlton Rufus Allen, Jasmine Allen’s great-uncle, and 43-year-old Sonny Arrington, her uncle and a father of seven, were both pronounced dead after being shot multiple times.
A Sister Survives the Attack
Another victim narrowly survived. Allen’s sister, Jasmine Ross, was struck by a bullet in the leg and later treated for her injuries.
Police charged Allen with attempted murder in Ross’s shooting.
Surveillance Footage Tells a Grim Story
Security cameras from a nearby apartment and the complex itself captured critical moments.
Footage shows a woman wearing a black jacket and gray pants approaching the apartment door just before the shots rang out.
Another camera angle captured the same person standing directly at the door, then running away moments after the gunfire.
A Quick Escape and a Faster Arrest
Detectives say Allen fled the scene in a burgundy van driven by her son’s girlfriend.
Surveillance footage allowed investigators to zoom in on the vehicle’s license plate, which led them to Allen’s home in Bessemer.
She was taken into custody within two hours of the shooting.
Evidence Found, Weapon Still Missing
During a search of Allen’s home, officers recovered gray pants and a black jacket matching the clothing seen on surveillance video.
Police also found 9mm ammunition consistent with shell casings collected at the crime scene.
The firearm used in the shooting, however, has not been recovered.
A Chilling Admission, Prosecutors Say
Detective Albanellys Perez testified that Allen’s son told investigators his mother admitted to getting into a fight and then firing shots.
Prosecutors added that Allen later called her son and confessed outright, telling him, “I shot family.”
Courtroom Arguments Over Intent
At Wednesday’s preliminary hearing, prosecutors argued the sheer number of shots fired showed clear intent to kill.
“She shot 10 rounds directly in front of the door, intentionally trying to kill the person or people behind it,” Deputy District Attorney Nick Taggart said, according to AL.com.
Allen’s attorney, Bret Gray, pushed back, arguing the shooting was reckless but not targeted, and therefore did not rise to the level of capital murder under Alabama law.
Judge Sends Case to Grand Jury
Jefferson County District Judge William Bell ruled that the case should move forward.
He ordered Allen held without bond and sent the matter to a grand jury to consider an indictment on the capital murder charges.
A Family Left Behind to Grieve Again
Sonny Arrington is survived by his wife, Candace, along with two daughters and five sons.
In the wake of his death, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help Candace cover expenses and support her family as they navigate another devastating loss.
What began as a gathering to mourn one tragedy has now left an entire family facing grief on an even deeper, more painful level.
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