Child Found Sleeping In Back Of Impounded Car After Shootout

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A domestic violence incident turned resulted in an exchange of gunfire in Ensley Thursday morning, and police made a surprising discovery when they towed the vehicle involved in the incident. A young child was found sleeping in the bullet hole-ridden SUV when police were inspecting the vehicle for evidence.

The incident began just before 7 a.m. Thursday when police responded to a shots fired call in the 900 Block of Avenue G, according to Sgt. Rod Mauldin of the Birmingham Police Department. Officers arrived and discovered a 2002 Ford Explorer with multiple bullet holes. Blood was also observed inside the vehicle with no signs of a victim, police said.

Due to blood and additional evidence in the car, Mauldin said the vehicle was visually inspected in efforts to preserve evidence and no one was observed inside nor was any noise or motion detected. The vehicle was then towed to Weil wrecker to be processed by an evidence technician.

Mauldin said the department was notified by an unknown caller that a child was inside the vehicle in the very back of the SUV. Officers reported to Weil wrecker and conducted an extensive search of the vehicle due to the exigent circumstances.

The child was found in the rear of the vehicle asleep under a large pile of clothing unharmed. Birmingham Fire and Rescue reported to the scene and transported the child to the hospital for further evaluation.

The preliminary investigation revealed the initial shots fired call was domestic in nature involving the mother of the child and her boyfriend, Mauldin said. Evidence suggests gunfire was exchanged between the two while the child was inside the vehicle.

Mauldin said the child was left inside of the vehicle. "It appears the child was asleep under the pile of clothing during the entire incident," Mauldin said. "The child has been placed into Child Protective Services. This is an ongoing investigation."

Anyone who has information pertaining to the case is asked to contact the Birmingham Police Department Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764.