In the city of Birmingham, Alabama, a young life was tragically cut short in a hail of gunfire. Kayla DeNae Hall, a 19-year-old Black female from Hanceville, was killed on the evening of Wednesday, December 13, 2023. The incident unfolded around 8:35 p.m. when Birmingham's 911 dispatch began receiving calls about shots fired in the 3200 block of 17th Avenue North, an area commonly known as 'The Bottoms' or 'Norwood Bottoms'.
Hall was one of three people targeted in what authorities
believe was a deliberate attack. She, along with 25-year-old Keithan Jamon Parker and another female, were inside a white Ford Focus when they were shot in the 1700 block of 32nd Place North. Despite being critically injured, the surviving female victim managed to drive the car, riddled with bullet holes, to a Chevron gas station at 3019 12th Avenue North seeking help.
When North Precinct officers arrived at the gas station, they found the three victims inside the vehicle. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene and pronounced both Kayla Hall and Keithan Parker dead from their injuries. The third victim was transported to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries. As of now, the investigation into the double homicide is ongoing, and no arrests have been made. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and have offered a reward, which has been increased to $10,000, for any tips that lead to an arrest. Seven months after the shooting, Kayla's mother continues to plead for answers and justice for her daughter.
