Tuscaloosa Police Say Shooting That Killed 15-Year-Old May Have Been Accidental

Investigators in Tuscaloosa said a deadly shooting at McKenzie Court Thursday which killed a 15-year-old boy may have been accidental and self-inflicted. 

Captain Marty Sellers, the co-commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, said TPD officers were called to a shooting at 2401 DuPont Avenue inside the housing complex and found a 15-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound. 

Sellers said the juvenile died on scene, and the VCU does not identify victims who are that young because of Alabama law.

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The VCU has been working on an investigation since responding to the scene Thursday evening, and Sellers said on Friday morning, this does not appear to have been a homicide.

"Witnesses were interviewed and evidence indicated that the injury was accidental and self-inflicted," Sellers said. " No evidence has been found, so far, that indicates that the shooting was intentional and involving another person."

The victim may have been playing with the firearm when it discharged and a bullet struck him, Sellers said. There were other parties involved, Sellers said, but all were juveniles.

"There may be pending charges for certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm due to the ages of the people involved," Sellers said. "The District Attorney's Office will be consulted regarding appropriate charges."

No other details were immediately released Friday.

For more exclusive coverage of crime and courts in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.