Family of mentally ill man killed outside his Birmingham home looks to give him ‘memorial he deserves’
Martez Dunner, who was schizophrenic and mostly non-verbal, was shot May 19.
Ethan Parker 
The family of Martez Dunner is seeking community support to provide a proper memorial for their loved one following his tragic death outside his childhood home in east Birmingham. Dunner, a 30-year-old man who was schizophrenic and mostly non-verbal, was fatally shot on the evening of May 19.
A Tragic Encounter
Police arrived at a residence on Hyacinth Drive in the Roebuck area just before 9 p.m. on May 19 following reports of a suspicious person possibly attempting to break into a vehicle. By the time officers arrived, the resident had shot Dunner. He was transported to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Birmingham police have since forwarded the case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office to determine if criminal charges are warranted.
Seeking Answers and Healing
Dunner’s family members, who described him as a gentle and non-confrontational individual, believe he was merely confused during the incident. His sister, Reagan Slaughter, stated, "Our family is going through one of the hardest moments we’ve ever faced after the loss of my brother." The family has launched a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral expenses, noting that reaching out for help is not something they typically do.
Dunner, who lived with his mother, frequently wandered away from home on foot. The family began searching for him early Wednesday morning and filed a missing person report that highlighted his mental health condition. They eventually learned of the shooting through social media after a missing persons advocate spotted their flyer and matched it to reports of the homicide.
"He was a harmless person," said sister Marteria Dunner. "If somebody was trying to call to him or tell him, 'Don't do that,' he wouldn't understand what was going on."
Those wishing to support the family during this difficult time can contribute to the memorial fund here. Further details regarding the investigation are pending review by the District Attorney’s Office.
