Destiny Lawson, 17, Fatally Shot During Possible Gunplay Inside Birmingham Home; 14-Year-Old Boy Charged With Murder

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Destiny Lawson inside a southwest Birmingham home late Tuesday night, according to Alabama authorities.

The deadly shooting happened just before 10:30 p.m. at a residence in the 100 block of 17th Street S.W. in Birmingham, Alabama.

West Precinct officers responded to the duplex apartment after receiving reports of a person shot. When officers entered the home, they found Destiny Lawson unresponsive inside the residence.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service responded to the scene and pronounced the teenage victim dead at the scene.

Authorities later identified the victim as 17-year-old Destiny Lawson.

Family members, including both of Lawson’s parents, stood outside the home near the yellow crime scene tape as officials with the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed her death.

According to Birmingham police Sgt. LaQuitta Wade, the preliminary investigation indicates Lawson had been visiting the home and was inside with several other people at the time of the shooting.

“We believe one of those individuals was playing with a weapon that accidentally discharged, striking the victim,” Wade said.

Investigators said the alleged shooter fled the scene before officers arrived. However, several individuals who remained inside the home when police responded cooperated with investigators and were transported to Birmingham Police Headquarters for questioning.

Authorities later announced that a 14-year-old boy was charged with murder in connection with Destiny Lawson’s death. Additional details regarding the circumstances leading up to the shooting have not yet been released.

The fatal shooting marked Birmingham’s 16th homicide of the year, according to police statistics.

The investigation into the deadly Birmingham shooting remains ongoing.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.