Community activists and families respond to shooting left 9-year-old girl injured

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — A Saturday night shooting on Plum Street leaves a 9-year-old injured in her leg while sitting at home. Activists and families say this is another example of senseless gun violence.

“It is tragic that this is becoming more prevalent,” pastor and community activist Marvin Lue said. “And unfortunately, it’s almost becoming a norm. You’re just waiting for the news of another shooting, another occurrence, and unfortunately, another young person being victimized by unnecessary terror in our streets.”

Mobile Police describe the shooting as a drive-by, and it left the 9-year-old victim with non-life-threatening injuries.

This act of violence is something Shelisa Alfred can unfortunately relate to.

“I was devastated, and it took me back to when my baby got killed,” Alfred said.

Alfred lost her 9-year-old daughter Cailee Knight in December of 2023 after a drive-by claimed her life at her home on Rhett Drive.

She said it’s heartbreaking that a child is the victim of yet another act of gun violence.

“My heart goes out to the family,” she expressed. “And on behalf of Cailee and our family, we truly give you all of our deepest concerns and love at this time.”

And in order to break the cycle of violence, Lue says the first step is learning better problem-solving skills.

“One of the things that we are seeing with these episodes of violence is, number one, the perceived notion of lack of respect for individuals,” he explained. “Secondly, we’ve got to develop better coping mechanisms. We’ve got to learn how to chill and press pause before we fast forward and do something reckless.”

So far, Mobile Police have not named any suspects in this case or any arrests.

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