A disagreement that began earlier in the day on July 15, 2019, tragically escalated that evening, resulting in the death of 28-year-old Shaneia Causwell in Birmingham, Alabama. The female victim was fatally shot in a triple shooting that also wounded two of her relatives. The incident unfolded shortly after 9 p.m. in the Sun Valley neighborhood.
The conflict started with a dispute involving Causwell's niece and a friend.
Later that evening, what began as a disagreement outside a residence turned into a physical altercation that spilled into the street. During the fight, a gun was introduced, and shots were fired. Shaneia Causwell was struck by a single gunshot to the back, which proved to be fatal. Her fiancé, Brandon Dozier, was shot in the chest, and her brother, Stefon Causwell, was shot multiple times. Both men sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
A suspect, 21-year-old Derrick D. Peterson, was arrested and charged in connection with the shooting. He was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on charges of murder and two counts of attempted murder. After his arrest, Peterson was released after posting a $120,000 bond.
Derrick D. Peterson was later convicted of one count of intentional murder for the death of Shaneia Causwell and two counts of attempted murder for the injuries sustained by her fiancé and brother. He was sentenced to life in prison for the murder conviction and received two 20-year sentences for the attempted murder convictions. Court testimony revealed that after a physical altercation, Peterson retrieved a gun from his vehicle and began firing, specifically targeting Causwell, Dozier, and her brother.
