Small Child Nearly Struck In Fatal Shooting Monday In Tuscaloosa

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit says a small child was nearly struck by gunfire in a fatal shooting Monday night in the 3000 block of 27th Street in Tuscaloosa's West End.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the multi-agency unit, said no arrests have been made in the shooting that resulted in the death of Lamont LaKeith Cameron, 25. He then said another 25-year-old victim was injured, but is in "good condition" at present.

"During this incident that took place in the street, a vehicle was shot multiple times in the gunfire and a four-year-old boy was in one of the vehicles that was struck," Kennedy told local media during a press conference on Wednesday. "Rounds passed through that vehicle and it included passing through a carseat. It is a miracle that this child was not seriously injured or killed in this incident."

Kennedy went on to point out that three children have been murdered by random or violent gunfire in Tuscaloosa County in the last year — a number that nearly climbed Monday night.

"If this child had been struck and killed ... it would have been the fourth," he said.

He then said the Violent Crimes Unit would not "write this stuff away as the streets taking care of their own business," citing a code of silence where witnesses do not come forward to police with information.

"Any of of us of us could be a victim, any member of our family could be a victim at any time," Kennedy said.

As Patch has reported in other past instances, cases involving children tend to hit home more for investigators, as many are parents. This notion was not lost on Kennedy, who spoke to just the latest instance of senseless violence.

"On a personal note, I have children, most of us have children," he said. "I can't stress enough we almost had another innocent child killed by the careless, and reckless, thoughtless actions of another criminal on our streets."

Those with any information concerning the shooting are asked to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (205) 464-8692.

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