By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Wednesday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey commented on the shooting death at Birmingham City school, Huffman High School.
“I am saddened to learn about the death of the Huffman High School student,” said Ivey. “I am praying for the family of this young lady who has tragically lost her life way too early. Every life is precious and, even though this was an accident, it reaffirms that there is no place for students to have firearms or other weapons on campus.”
According to early reports from investigators, one young woman, 17-year-old senior Courtlin Arrington, was killed, and a young man, a 17 year old on the football team, was shot in the leg. At least two shots were fired.
Police Chief Orlando Wilson said the police believe the shooting may have been accidental.
“At this particular time, we consider it accidental until the investigation takes us elsewhere,” Wilson said. “We have a lot of unanswered questions. There are so many unknowns at this time.”
Just from this year, 18 people have been murdered by gun fire in Birmingham–not including Arrington, as her killing has not been ruled to be a murder.
Dealing with school safety and whether or not there should be armed teachers, or more gun control, is an issue that has rocked the Legislature in the last two weeks; though no legislation has yet reached the floor of either the House or the Senate.
Chief Wilson insists that this shooting is not like the other school shootings, including the most recent one in Parkland, Florida that killed 17 people.
Police have recovered the gun and have talked with the shooter, and they are reviewing the school security cameras. The investigation is ongoing.
Original reporting by the Alabama Media Group contributed to this report.
