Suspect Charged in Shooting of 12-Year-Old Boy Caught in Crossfire at West Birmingham Home

A suspect has been charged in connection with a west Birmingham shooting that injured a 12-year-old boy.

Dennis Demarkus Buckner Jr., 23, faces charges of attempted murder, first-degree assault, and discharging a firearm into an occupied building, according to Birmingham police on Saturday.

The incident occurred shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald reported that West Precinct officers responded to the 4900 block of Avenue Q in the Central Park neighborhood following a report of a person being shot. Upon arrival, they found the injured child at a nearby home on 49th Street Ensley.

The boy was transported by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service to Children’s of Alabama with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Investigators revealed that the shooting stemmed from an argument between Buckner and the boy’s father, both of whom knew each other. During the altercation, gunfire was exchanged—Buckner firing from outside the home and the boy’s father from inside.

Shot Spotter recorded five rounds, and multiple shell casings were found in the street.

"Neither of the shooters were struck by gunfire," Fitzgerald said at the scene, adding, "However, a round may have penetrated the house and grazed or struck the 12-year-old."

The boy’s father cooperated with police, while Buckner fled the scene before officers arrived.

"It’s just another situation where two adults have a disagreement, shots are fired, and an innocent party is struck by gunfire," Fitzgerald commented.

Detectives obtained warrants against Buckner on Tuesday. He was arrested on Thursday and booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 10:06 p.m