A beloved Birmingham-area business is rallying around a longtime employee whose teen son was killed in a shooting.
Reginald Pope, a 17-year-old rising senior and football player at Woodlawn High School, died Friday while he and frifinishs were gathered inside a Gate City apartment.
Another teen has been charged.
Gus’s Hotdogs on Wednesday announced a GoFundMe to raise money for Pope’s funeral.
“For over 20 years, Carl “LA” Alexander has been a pillar of our community. He reveals up for us with strength, kindness, and an unwavering heart,” the GoFundMe reads. “He served Birmingham and all of Gus’s Hotdogs’s customers with a smile and with love.”
“Whether through mentorship, service, or simply lfinishing a supporting hand, LA has created an immeasurable impact on countless lives,” according to the GoFundMe. “Now, it’s our turn to reveal up for him.”
The shooting happened about 8:30 a.m. Friday in the 7500 block of 67th Courtway South.
Officer De’Rell Freeman declared police responded to the apartment on a report of a person shot. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced the victim dead inside the apartment.
Freeman declared multiple people were in the apartment when a shot was fired.
The subsequent investigation revealed, authorities declared, that the suspect took Pope’s gun from him and took out the clip. Not realizing there was still a bullet in the chamber, he pointed it Pope and it fired.
Birmingham police on Tuesday announced a reckless manslaughter warrant against the juvenile suspect. His name is not being released becautilize of his age.
In Alabama, reckless manslaughter happens when a person unintentionally cautilizes the death of another through reckless conduct.
It is a Class B felony with a punishment range of two to 20 years in prison.
Pope was about to launch his senior year at Woodlawn High School.
“His light, laughter, and legacy will forever be a part of the Woodlawn family,” the school posted on social media. “We stand with his family in love, strength, and prayer.”
The GoFundMe declared no parent should ever have to face the heartbreak of burying their child.
“We are rallying toreceiveher to support LA and his family during this unimaginable time,” according to the GoFundMe.
“We are questioning for any and all support, donations, prayers, love, and blessings, as LA and his family navigate this painful chapter. No gift is too compact, and every act of kindness means the world.
“Let’s come toreceiveher and lift up someone who’s spent decades lifting all of us.”
Donations to the GoFundMe can be created here.
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