Sadly, a girl, 12, was fatally shot as she slept in her family’s home when 17 bullets began to strike the home in a reported drive-by shooting that occurred on Wednesday, according to officials.
The young girl, Audriana Pearson, was getting ready to celebrate her 13th birthday next month. She was struck just before 2 a.m. at the Alabama, Birmingham home. Sadly, she was declared deceased at the scene by firefighters, reports the New York Post.
Officials say three suspects have been arrested in connection to the tragic shooting, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin informed Al.com.
“Pearson was all set to enjoy her Christmas break. But while she slept in her bed last night, her life was robbed from her. She was the victim of a drive-by, another one of our children stolen from us due to the intentional and reckless behavior of others,”
the Mayor said in a tweet.
Mayor Woodfin added,
“There is very little to be merry about in households where laughter has been silenced by gunfire, and that breaks my heart.”
Pearson was in sixth grade at Erwin Middle School and the principal, Dr. Angela Bush, described her as a
“bright young lady with a big future…She was well-liked and enjoyed socializing with her friends and favorite teachers.”
Officials began investigating and arrested three unidentified suspects who they believed to be connected to the shooting. The three suspects were taken into custody following a car chase. Sgt Lawson said,
“We believe these people are connected to the homicide.”
“Children deserve to be safe at home with their families and enjoying the holiday season. They do not deserve to be gunned down while at home where they expect comfort and safety,”
said a police statement in regard to the shooting.
#Clique, let’s keep Pearson’s family in our thoughts and prayers.
