On January 10, 2026, 18-year-old high school senior Brandon Campbell was fatally shot, and his 17-year-old best friend Sam Slaughter was wounded in a drive-by shooting on Birmingham’s Tuscaloosa Avenue. The two were in a car when suspects opened fire, prompting Campbell to drive away before crashing into a tree while seeking help. Campbell died at the scene; Slaughter underwent surgery for multiple gunshot wounds and is recovering.
Suspects and Charges
Birmingham police arrested five suspects on January 16:
- Algie Eugene Surrell Jr., 27, and Kavari Wells, 19: Charged with capital murder.
- Ricco Wells, 22, and one 17-year-old: Charged with capital murder and attempted murder.
- Another 17-year-old: Charged with felony murder.
All are held without bond at Jefferson County Jail. Reports suggest the victims were targeted in a robbery setup, though no official motive has been confirmed.
Community Response
Pleasant Grove High School, Campbell’s school, held a balloon release vigil on January 16. Speakers, including Campbell’s sister, school staff, and Slaughter’s parents, remembered him as full of life, laughter, and good energy. Slaughter joined via FaceTime post-surgery, chatting with friends. His father emphasized their inseparable friendship—”two peas in a pod”—and clarified neither boy was gang-affiliated, countering potential misconceptions.
Broader Impact and Calls for Change
Slaughter’s father highlighted the randomness of gun violence, urging public awareness to protect all youth. The community mourns while advocating for action against rising gun incidents in Birmingham, a city grappling with frequent shootings amid national trends—FBI data shows Alabama’s homicide rate at about 14 per 100,000 in recent years, driven largely by firearms.
This tragedy underscores ongoing debates on robbery-related violence and youth safety in urban areas. Local leaders often push for enhanced policing, community programs, and stricter enforcement, similar to initiatives in other Southern cities like those in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.
