BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Tragedy struck Birmingham’s northeast side when a mother was fatally shot in her backyard, an incident police believe was domestic in nature. Responding to a shooting report around noon on Monday, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies learned from witnesses that Emell Peavy, 48, allegedly shot his girlfriend, April Britton, 37, in the presence of her children.
In the aftermath of the shooting, two of Britton’s teenage daughters flagged down a passing vehicle, seeking immediate assistance. The driver, upon learning of the incident, promptly called 911. As events unfolded, Peavy was identified by the girls as the alleged shooter. A bystander, the husband of the woman who had stopped to help the girls, detained Peavy at gunpoint, ensuring he remained at the scene until the authorities arrived.
Following his arrest, Peavy now faces a capital murder charge and is being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail.
Seeking support after the harrowing event, Britton’s sister, Jelissa Britton, initiated a GoFundMe campaign to help with the burial expenses. Describing her late sister, Jelissa remembered April as an immensely kind and caring individual who prioritized her role as a mother above all. Beyond her compassion, April’s commitment to her family was evident in her dedication to homeschooling her two youngest children, aged 17 and 13.
As the community grapples with the loss, memories of April as a nurturing mother, sister, and friend continue to reverberate. Her legacy persists through the lives of her three children and the countless individuals she touched.