In the heart of a Birmingham, Alabama neighborhood, a domestic dispute escalated into a tragedy that claimed the life of 27-year-old Charles Burchfield. On the morning of February 16, 2016, in the 1600 block of Warrior Road, what began as a verbal argument between Burchfield and his girlfriend, Michelle Horn, turned fatal. The subject of their disagreement was reportedly phone calls Burchfield had been receiving from an ex-girlfriend.
Witnesses stated that the argument intensified,
leading Horn to fire two shots at Burchfield. In response, he began throwing bricks at her vehicle. Horn then fired another shot, this time striking Burchfield in the body. Officers from the West Precinct arrived at the scene around 11:45 a.m. to find Burchfield lying on the ground near the apartments. Despite the efforts of Birmingham Fire and Rescue, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Michelle Horn, who was 36 years old at the time, was taken into custody at the scene by authorities. Two days later, on February 18, 2016, the Birmingham police announced that a capital murder warrant had been issued against her in connection with Burchfield's death. She was subsequently booked into the Birmingham City Jail to await transfer to the Jefferson County Jail.
Those who knew Charles Burchfield remembered him as a quiet yet playful individual. He was a father, having welcomed a son on February 23, 2009. Educated in the Bessemer School System, he had a passion for playing basketball.
