On a summer evening in Birmingham, Alabama, the life of a young man was tragically cut short. Arrico Dionne Eatmon, a 17-year-old Black male affectionately known as 'Pooh,' was fatally shot on June 19, 2016. The incident occurred in front of a residence on the 5500 block of Avenue D. Emergency services responded, and Arrico was transported to UAB Medical Center West, but tragically, he was pronounced dead. At the time of his death, Arrico was a student who had attended A.G.
Gaston Elementary, Forest Hill Middle, and Fairfield High School. He was a father, leaving behind a young son.
The investigation into the shooting moved forward, and about two weeks after the fatal incident, authorities made an arrest. The suspect was identified as Courtline Griffin. Following his arrest, Griffin was charged with murder in connection with Arrico Eatmon's death, bringing a measure of progress in the quest for justice for the teenager and his grieving family and friends. The untimely death of the young father was one of a number of homicides that troubled the Birmingham area during that year, casting a shadow over the community and leaving a lasting impact on those who knew him.
