Former Birmingham Police Academy Recruit Charged With Murder

BIRMINGHAM, AL - A 21 year-old man who had once been a Police Recruit at the Birmingham Police Academy has been charged with murder. Birmingham Police have obtained a warrant for Arron J. Gaines Monday and charged him with the murder of Dietrich Boone on Friday, February 9. Gaines has been transferred to the Jefferson County Jail, and is currently awaiting trial.

In late January of 2018, Gaines resigned from his position at the police academy prior to being terminated after allegations of conduct violations were sustained against him. Gaines was never a certified police officer with the department, and during the time of the alleged shooting was not employed with the department.

“It is clear that our young people are experiencing life issues that are seemingly difficult to deal with. Our families must take the lead in helping our young adults deal with issues before things turn violent," read a statement by the Birmingham Police Department. "The consequences of these bad decisions are turning fatal, and we have seen this too many times.”

Photo Courtesy of Birmingham PD