By Gary Lloyd
CENTER POINT — Just before 1 p.m. Wednesday Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of gunfire in the 1600 block of First Street Northwest in Center Point.
They located an 11-year-old boy who was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the stomach.
The child was transported to an area hospital and underwent surgery. He is expected to recover.
While on the scene deputies were approached by an adult male who had also been struck by a gunshot to his buttocks. He was treated and released from the hospital.
The investigation revealed that a man had been walking to a home in the 1600 block of First Street Northwest when a dog charged out of a yard toward him. The owner of the dog was outside cleaning a car and told the man the dog would not bite. The man walking told the dog owner that he would shoot the dog if it was not restrained. A verbal argument ensued and continued as the man walking arrived at a neighbor’s home.
Additional parties began arguing and the argument escalated to the point that gunfire was exchanged. An adult male was struck in the buttocks as he turned to run inside. The child was inside and was struck by a bullet that came through the wall of the home.
The man that was cleaning his car, 21-year-old David Chambers, of Birmingham, admitted to detectives that he fired shots, but said he didn’t fire first. A gun was found inside the car he was cleaning.
Chambers is on probation for first-degree robbery. He was arrested and charged with certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm. He posted a $15,000 bond and was released from the Jefferson County Jail just after 2 a.m. Thursday.
Other parties involved have admitted to firing shots as well, but each claim self defense. Sheriffs detectives will present the case to the District Attorney’s Office. Additional arrests and charges related to the child being shot are expected.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.