TCS Discusses Response After Westlawn Middle Student Murdered

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa community, particularly in the city's West End, is reeling with grief following the tragic shooting death of 13-year-old Kei'lan Allen last Friday as he sat in his bedroom and played on his iPad. And apart from the continued push for justice by investigators, a void will no doubt be left within Westlawn Middle School, where Kei'lan was a student and cherished by faculty and students alike.

Tuscaloosa City Schools Mental Health Services Social Worker Tesney Davis spoke with Patch on Monday and said boots were already on the ground at Westlawn Middle ahead of students returning to the classroom on Tuesday. Monday, which would have been the first day back for students following the tragic shooting, was a virtual learning day for students, but a professional development day for faculty.

With teachers on campus to begin the week, Davis said its employee assistance program and central office support staff were at Westlawn to offer resources to employees. She also said any time there is a death within the TCS community, the school system immediately deploys its team of counselors and social workers to be available for students.

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"We always want to provide reassurance to our students that we're going to do all we can to assure them they are safe and also reassure them that there are people here they can talk with, adults who care about them and of course we want to offer our support to [Kei'lan's family].

When asked about the school system's approach with respect to middle school students in a delicate situation, Davis said it is usually best to give them space until they feel comfortable talking. This willingness to open up can vary due to age and stage of development, she said, before pointing out that middle schoolers by and large have a better understanding of death than elementary-age students.

"We just want to provide them with the support they need and that whenever they are ready they can talk," she said. "We will also offer activities they can do to remember the student, and when they feel like they need the extra support, we will give them different numbers they can call and people they can reach out to."

While social workers and counselors will set out for the difficult task of helping middle schoolers cope with such an unexpected tragedy, the concerns over gun violence loom large after the death of such a young and innocent victim.

As Patch previously reported, two men have been charged with capital murder as of the publication of this story — James Deanthony Reed, 18, and Julian Lamont Gordon, 21. Additional arrests remain a possibility after the drive-by shooting, which saw numerous shots fired from multiple weapons at a residence on Washington Square. According to police, the gunfire was intended for an older family member of Kei'lan's.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox praised the swift work of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit and city police, but lamented the latest senseless act of violence in a city plagued by a noticeable uptick in shootings.

"A beautiful child with a limitless future lost his life for NO reason - It is beyond tragic," Maddox said in a statement posted on Facebook Saturday. "We know there are people with information that can help to solve this case and possibly save future lives. If you know something, please say something. Our anger and sadness must be transformed into meaningful actions, and the first step is holding whoever did this accountable."

Davis agreed that the rise in shootings has now spilled over to impact the lives of youth who have nothing to do with the criminal or domestic elements that often spark such cold-blooded acts of brutality.

"In Tuscaloosa, we have seen an increase in gun violence, but when it's a child this young —a 13 year old — we often think of gun violence being older teens and young adults," she said. "But now that it is starting to impact kids younger and younger, it is something as a community and as the City of Tuscaloosa we need to look at for ways to address the root of the problem and what is the root of the problem and how do we get kids to express themselves in different ways?"

Those with any information into this case are asked to call (205) 349-2121, (205) 464-8690 or report anonymously at (205) 752-STOP (7867).

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