Emell Peavy, 48, allegedly shot April Britton, 37, in the backyard of the home in Birmingham, Alabama, in front of their children. Peavy is facing a capital murder charge. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office / GoFundMe)
A mother was shot and killed in front of her children in what police in Alabama are describing as a domestic-related murder.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s office was called around noon on Monday to a home in Birmingham’s northeast side for a shooting. Witnesses told deputies the suspect, 48-year-old Emell Peavy, shot his girlfriend April Britton, 37, in the backyard of the home in front of her children, who then ran away and flagged down a passing vehicle for help.
The passerby told AL.com that she and her husband were driving when they saw two teen girls waving them down. She got out of the car and one of the girls said their mother had been shot so she called 911. Meanwhile, Peavy pulled up in his car and the girls identified him as the shooter. “That’s who shot my mama,” one of the girls said, AL.com reported.
The witness’ husband held Peavy at gunpoint until police arrived, authorities said.
Peavy was taken to the Jefferson County Jail on a capital murder charge. He’s being held there without bond.
Britton’s sister, Jelissa Britton, set up a GoFundMe account for burial expenses for the mother of three who was a victim of “senseless and horrible” domestic violence.
“April was (It feels awful just typing that), but April was one of the most kind and sweet souls. She was first and foremost, a loving mother to her 3 children, a caring sister, and a loyal friend to all who knew her,” she wrote.
April Britton leaves behind her three children ages 20, 17 and 13, AL.com reported. She homeschooled the younger two.
“She was beloved and will forever be loved, despite no longer being with us,” her sister wrote on the GoFundMe page.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
