A Mother's Day celebration in Montgomery, Alabama, turned into a scene of tragedy on May 12, 2024, when 64-year-old Gloria Crews, a Black female, was shot and killed. The grandmother had spent the day at church before hosting a gathering for several generations of her family at her home. As the evening approached, the joyous occasion was shattered by gunfire.
Around 7:00 p.m., as children played in her yard, multiple individuals reportedly emerged from nearby bushes and opened fire on
the outdoor party. In a final act of selflessness, Crews was struck by a bullet as she ushered the children indoors to safety. First responders arrived at the scene but were unable to revive her, and she was pronounced dead. Her son, who was nearby, rushed to her side after hearing the gunshots and found her on the ground. Friends and family described Crews as a beloved mother, grandmother, and caregiver who was a sweet and special soul.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Montgomery Police Department launched a homicide investigation. While no arrests have been made and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects, a significant reward has been offered for information that leads to the identification and arrest of those responsible. The initial $1,000 reward from Central Alabama Crime Stoppers was substantially increased to $16,000 with contributions from three Montgomery City Council members. The community has been left to mourn the loss of a woman who was a pillar of her family, with her daughter starting a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses.
