A bright Saturday spent fishing and boating on the water took a tragic turn for 17-year-old Clayton Mark Randall of Mulga, Alabama. On the evening of May 24, 2025, as Clayton, his father, and two friends were trying to get off the water to beat an approaching storm, a firearm discharged, striking and killing the teenager. The group had been enjoying a day out near a boat ramp in the 8600 block of Birmingport Road in western Jefferson County.
It was reported that the group carried pistols
for protection against snakes. According to Clayton's mother, one of the guns misfired as they were concluding their outing. His friends immediately performed CPR in a desperate attempt to save him until paramedics arrived, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Birmingham Police Department brought two individuals in for questioning, though they were later released. Clayton's mother has publicly stated her belief that the shooting was a tragic accident and has asked for prayers for the boys who were with her son, acknowledging the difficult time they are going through. At the time of the initial reports, the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office was reviewing the case. No charges had been filed in connection with the fatal incident. Clayton, who had recently graduated from homeschool and was a former baseball player at Hueytown High School, was remembered by friends and family for his kind heart and his love for fishing, hunting, and trucks.
