From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — The woman accused of killing a five-year-old boy over the weekend was officially charged with capital murder on Tuesday.
Rickkia Allen, 29, who currently resides at the Birmingham City Jail, is charged with the killing of Ta’ Narius “TJ” Moore Jr. during an altercation between family members on Saturday at 33rd Terrace North and F.L. Shuttlesworth Drive at around 2:30 p.m.
The child was found at the scene unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. First responders transported the child to Children’s of Alabama where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators believe two family members were involved in an altercation that ended in both firing shots at one another. Media reports indicate that one of those involved in the fight was Moore’s mother, but authorities have not elaborated on that statement. The relationship between Allen and Moore is not known.
According to media reports, Allen faces capital murder charges because Moore was in a vehicle when he was shot.
Moore was a kindergartner at Center Point Elementary School. He played youth football in Huffman where he was named an All-Star just prior to his death. Moore was set to turn 6 in January.
“Words can’t describe the pain of losing one of your players,” Moore’s youth football coach, Tabios Darden, wrote on Facebook. “It hurts even more knowing that a kid with such a bright future is gone because of a senseless act of violence. TJ was loved by all of the coaches and his teammates. He was the heart and soul of our defense, and we will honor him every time we take the field.”
Moore’s father, TaNarius Moore Sr., was shot and killed in Collegeville in 2017.
Moore’s Celebration of Life service is set for Saturday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m., at Christian Valley Baptist Church. Visitation will be held on Friday from 1-8 p.m. at Bushelon Funeral Home.