From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — A 16-year-old male has been arrested and charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Clay-Chalkville High School student Kamaree Shondale Phillips, 17, of Clay on April 1, 2023.
Due to the nature of the crime, the juvenile will be tried as an adult, according to Officer Truman Fitzgerald of the Birmingham Police Department. The suspect’s name has not been released at this time.
“On Tuesday, May 2, BPD Tactical Operations precinct officers executed a search warrant at a residence in east Birmingham,” Fitzgerald said. “Our officers took the suspect into custody. On Wednesday May 3, BPD homicide detectives presented case information to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office issued a capital murder warrant for the 16-year-old suspect.”
The teen is being held at the Jefferson County Jail without bond.
On April 1, police were dispatched at 4:10 p.m., to the Magnolia Court Apartments, 3 Westchester Court, on a report of a person shot.
“Officers arrived on the scene and observed the victim lying outside of a vehicle suffering from an apparent gunshot wound,” Fitzgerald said. “Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel arrived on the scene and transported the victim to St. Vincent’s East for immediate medical care.”
The victim, later identified as Kamaree Phillips, was pronounced deceased by St. Vincent’s Hospital Staff.
“The preliminary investigation has revealed the victim was sitting inside of a vehicle when he was approached by an unknown suspect,” Fitzgerald said. “The suspect fired shots at the victim then fled the scene.”
The homicide, one of three that took the lives of teenagers in a 10 day period, shook the CCHS family.
“It is tragic to have one of our students leave for spring break and then not return because of an act of violence,” CCHS Principal Dr. Eugene Dallas said at the time of the shooting. “As I shared with our school community, there really are no words for a time like this. Our school mourns with Kamaree’s family. We stand with them. They are in our prayers.”