Teen Charged In East Birmingham Shooting Death

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A suspect in the Feb. 21 shooting death of 19-year-old Avonte Damall Washington has been arrested and charged with reckless manslaughter. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said 18-year-old Jauvon Travis Leonard is in custody at Jefferson County Jail.

The incident occurred just before 9 p.m. Saturday at a home in the 1200 block of Birchwood Street in an unincorporated section of Jefferson County.

Witnesses identified Leonard as the suspect and informed deputies that he and Washington knew each other, according to a sheriff's office report. Witnesses also said that Leonard was hit by gunfire as he fled the scene, the sheriff's office said.

According to witness statements, Leonard and Washington were in the residence talking when Leonard pointed a firearm at the victim, inadvertently shooting the victim and killing him, according to the sheriff's office.

Leonard was located by Birmingham police officers on a road nearby and was transported to a hospital to be treated for his injury, police said. He was arrested Monday and his bond is set at $30,000.