15-year-old Prentice Lovell shot dead by teen mishandling firearm in Birmingham

Authorities have identified 15-year-old Prentice Lovell Little as the victim of a fatal shooting in Birmingham early Sunday morning. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed Prentice’s identity, stating he was a resident of Birmingham. The incident, deemed a tragic accident by police, occurred due to the mishandling of a firearm by a 14-year-old boy who has since been detained in juvenile custody pending further investigation.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald of the Birmingham Police Department emphasized on Sunday that foul play is not suspected in Prentice’s death. “Based on our investigation findings, it appears to be a case of juveniles being out early in the morning, and a tragic accident occurred due to the mishandling of a gun, resulting in the loss of a 15-year-old young man,” Fitzgerald stated.

The sequence of events unfolded when officers from the South Precinct responded to UAB Hospital after Prentice arrived with a gunshot wound early Sunday. Despite efforts to save him, Prentice was pronounced dead at 8:28 a.m.

Further investigation led officers to discover a crime scene in the 9200 block of Parkway East, located between Walmart and Wells Fargo in the Roebuck or Huffman area. At the scene, authorities recovered a handgun hidden in bushes, along with bloodstains on the ground.

Four other males who were with Prentice at the hospital, ages ranging from 14 to 18, remained for questioning after bringing him for medical assistance. According to Fitzgerald, all the males, originally from the west side of Birmingham, had been together in a van driving around east Birmingham.

“It was during this time that the 14-year-old male was in possession of a handgun. Under circumstances that are still being investigated, he discharged the firearm, striking the 15-year-old victim and resulting in his tragic death,” Fitzgerald explained.

The Birmingham community has been deeply affected by Prentice Lovell Little’s untimely death. The incident underscores the critical importance of gun safety and responsible firearm handling, especially among juveniles. Authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.

As the investigation progresses, the Birmingham Police Department remains committed to uncovering all pertinent details surrounding the tragic accident to provide answers and justice for Prentice’s family and the community.