5 Arrested, Including 2 Teens, in Shooting That Killed One High School Student and Injured Another By Charlotte Phillipp

An Alabama community is in mourning after one teen was killed and another was injured in a shooting that saw five people arrested.

According to AL.com, WBRC and CBS 42, 18-year-old high school student Brandon Campbell was killed, and his longtime best friend, 17-year-old Sam Slaughter, was injured in the shooting, which took place on Saturday, Jan. 10, on Birmingham’s Tuscaloosa Avenue.

The two friends were in their car at the time of the shooting, and police found them after they had crashed into a tree. AL.com reported that Campbell was able to drive away after the suspects opened fire into their vehicle, but then crashed a short time later while trying to get to a family member for help.

Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene, and Slaughter was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Birmingham police said on Friday, Jan. 16, that Algie Eugene Surrell Jr., 27, Kavari Wells, 19, Ricco Wells, 22, and two 17-year-olds have been charged in connection with the shooting.

Ricco and one of the 17-year-olds were charged with capital murder and attempted murder, while Surrell and Kavari were charged with capital murder. The other juvenile suspect was charged with felony murder, according to police.

Although authorities have not released a motive in the deadly shooting, AL.com reported that the victims were reportedly set up to be robbed.

The Pleasant Grove High School community, where Campbell was a senior preparing to graduate at the time of death, held a balloon release on Friday to honor Campbell.

Several people spoke during the event, according to AL.com, including Campbell’s sister, his friend, school employees and Slaughter’s parents.

“Knowing that Brandon was full of life, laughter and joy, may we all find comfort in knowing that’s how he lived his life,” one speaker said at the event, which was captured in a video shared by Jefferson County Schools.

Slaughter was on FaceTime with his dad throughout the vigil, and chatted with friends for the first time since undergoing surgery.

“Brandon was an amazing, bright kid. He had a bright future,” Slaughter’s father said of Campbell. “He was quiet, well-mannered. He always kept a smile. He always had good energy around him.”

Speaking with CBS 42 about their friendship, the Birmingham dad described the two teenage boys as “two peas in a pod.”

“If you just hold one, you saw the other,” the elder Slaughter said. “I wish that a lot of kids had that opportunity to have a good friend, a real friend, because in today’s world, it’s hard to tell who’s a good one.”

The Slaughter family also shared on Friday that their son underwent surgery for his multiple gunshot wounds.

“He’s very good in school. All the teachers love him,” the proud dad told AL.com. “He’s been getting nothing but love and support throughout this time in need.”

“I just want to make sure that got out to the public because things can get so misconstrued these days,” he said. “I want to make sure the public knows that he’s not some gang-affiliated person.”

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The local community is now advocating for something to change when it comes to gun violence.

“I never thought it would happen to us, but I’m always having a conversation with my boys about how life is today, for everybody in general,” said Slaughter’s dad, adding that he would do everything in his power to stop this from happening to other kids.

“Even though this is my son and his friend, who was also my son, I am fearful for the public and I want the public to understand that while this is my son individually, this is a child that belonged to the world,” he continued.

“That’s going to have to be done through awareness of the dangers not only our kids are facing today,” he said, “but with what the public in general is facing right now.”

Police said that all five suspects are in custody at the Jefferson County Jail with no bond.