In the summer of 2019, a wave of grief washed over a Birmingham, Alabama community. Jurnee Coleman, a bright-eyed 4-year-old girl, was inside her family's apartment in the Marks Village public housing community on the evening of July 28th. A relative was getting her a juice from the refrigerator when the innocence of the moment was shattered by the sound of gunfire erupting outside.
A stray bullet pierced through the walls of their home and struck Jurnee in the head.
Rushed to the hospital in critical condition, Jurnee fought for her life for several days. The community held its breath, praying for a miracle that would not come. On August 2, 2019, Jurnee Coleman succumbed to her injuries, her life tragically cut short. Her death sent shockwaves through the city, sparking outrage and a renewed call to end gun violence. Her funeral was held on August 10, 2019, where family and friends gathered to mourn the loss of a child described as a 'little Angel who was taken too soon.'
Within hours of the shooting, Birmingham police arrested a suspect, Raymond Shine. He was charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with the shootout that claimed Jurnee's life. Shine, who was forbidden to possess a firearm due to prior felony convictions, was also charged with certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm. In a turn of events that caused further anguish, Shine was released from jail after posting bond. However, his freedom was short-lived. Less than a day after his release, he was taken back into custody by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on a federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
