Mother Shot Dead While Holding Baby

A young mother was shot dead Monday afternoon while holding her newborn baby in her arms. According to local authorities, 24-year-old Sherri Williams was fatally shot and killed as she stood in the doorway of her Birmingham, Alabama home.

The apparent victim of a stray bullet, the young mother died instantly from a single gunshot to her chest. Although she was holding her 10-day-old baby when the shooting occurred, the infant was not injured. Birmingham police are still searching for the person responsible for the tragic killing.

According to police, the shooting took place shortly before 1 pm on Monday at Birmingham’s Gate City housing complex.

Although few details have been released, the gunfire apparently occurred during an altercation between two individuals at a nearby store.

Authorities have indicated that a heated argument erupted between two men which escalated as one of the participants ran from the store. The second individual followed, shooting a gun in the process.

The stray bullet struck Sheri Williams in the chest while she was holding her baby. She collapsed from the gunshot, her newborn still cradled in her arms.

According to Sergeant Johnny Williams Jr, a spokesperson for the Birmingham Police Department, the young mother succumbed to the fatal wound before authorities arrived at her apartment.

At this time, Birmingham police are still searching for the individuals responsible for the shooting. They have asked citizens with any information regarding the fatal incident to come forward.

“We know a lot of people are reluctant to come forward, but we’re hoping someone with information will call Crime Stoppers,” Sergeant Williams explained. “You can remain anonymous and give us that bit of information. It is owed to this mother. We have a child now who’s lost a mom, so we’re asking those people who may have information, come forward.”

In addition to her 10-day-old infant, Sheri Williams was also the mother of a 6-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. Kerry Jackson, Williams’ uncle, described his niece as a quiet woman who had dreams of moving away from the Gate City community. “For a long time she was trying to get out of here,” he explained following her death.

Anyone with information about the individuals who shot the young mother while she was holding her baby are encouraged to notify Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777.

[Top image via Shutterstock]