13-Year-Old Alabama Schoolboy Shot to Death While Sleeping in His Own Bed: “My Baby Did Not Deserve This”
(Image: AL.com) Allen T. Thomas(Contributed)
A 13-year-old boy in Alabama was tragically shot and killed while sleeping in his bed, marking one of a series of gun-related deaths in the state over the weekend. The victim, identified as Allen T. Thomas, was inside his home on the 1200 block of 13th Street North when one or more suspects opened fire just before 10 p.m. on Friday, according to Bessemer police.
The boy was rushed to Children’s of Alabama Hospital but succumbed to his injuries at 2:58 a.m. on Saturday. “My baby did not deserve this,” said Erica Chaney, Allen’s mother. “He was in his bed asleep. He doesn’t even know what happened to him. I’m so heartbroken.”
Police Detective Justin Burmeister revealed that the house was riddled with bullet holes on its left side, evidence of Friday’s shooting. Damage to a large window on the right side of the front door was reportedly from a previous shooting, according to witnesses at the scene. The motive remains unclear, and no arrests have been made, reported WVTM 13 News.
Mayor Kenneth Gulley expressed his condolences in a weekend statement, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to the Chaney-Thomas family as they grieve the devastating loss of their loved one due to gun violence.”
“This is unacceptable,” the mayor continued. “As your mayor, I want to assure you that we will exhaust every resource and avenue to bring those responsible for this heinous act to justice.” He also called on the community to “choose peace over violence” and seek non-violent solutions to conflicts, emphasizing, “This lawlessness cannot and will not define who we are as a city.”
Allen, described as a joyful and loving middle schooler, was the city’s second homicide victim of the year. “My baby was the sweetest, happiest baby there was to have,’’ said Chaney tearfully. “There was never a dull moment while he was around. He never missed a day telling me he loves me.”
Bessemer’s first homicide of 2025 occurred earlier with the death of 65-year-old Elijah Mack Jr. As the investigation continues, Allen’s family and the community are left grappling with the senseless loss of a young life cut tragically short.
