Busy Fourth Of July Weekend For Tuscaloosa Police

TUSCALOOSA, AL — As expected, the Tuscaloosa Police Department stayed busy over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, responding to calls ranging from shots being fired to kids throwing fireworks at adults.

Here is a timeline, along with the narratives of each event provided by TPD ...

Friday, July 2

• (Just before 7 p.m.) Witnesses reported that two teenagers, around 14-15 years old, were shooting fireworks at one another on 33rd Avenue. The back passenger side window of one man's vehicle was busted and the front window of another victim's residence was broken. The witnesses don't believe the damage was intentional, but called police for documentation.
• (7 p.m.) A woman called to report that she was driving on 25th Avenue near First Street East and saw three juveniles shooting fireworks in the street. They shot one that struck broke the sunroof of her SUV and injured her 4-year-old daughter. Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue paramedics applied a bandage to treat minor burns, but she did not require hospitalization. The two older boys, between 16 and 21 years old, left in a vehicle parked alongside the road, while a younger boy, between 8 and 12, ran from the area.
• (Just before 8 p.m.) TPD's helicopter patrol officers observed juveniles throwing fireworks at vehicles at the intersection of 15th Street and Stillman Boulevard. Around the same time, a woman called to report that they threw several sparklers at her SUV as she was stopped at a traffic light. One of the boys apologized before running when she said she was calling police. Patrol officers responded and took two juveniles into custody.
• (9 p.m.) Callers complained of people shooting fireworks around the area of an empty parking lot on 25th Avenue East. The fireworks were hitting the back sides of vehicles and homes along adjacent streets.

Saturday, July 3

• Children were reportedly throwing fireworks from a balcony and into the parking lot at Running Brook Apartments just before midnight Saturday.

Sunday, July 4

• (10:30 p.m.) A 9-year-old boy was in his bedroom on First Court East when a bullet came through the window and landed under his bed. He and his mother initially thought the damage was caused by fireworks, but later realized it was caused by gunfire. The bullet shattered the boy’s bedroom window and damaged the blinds and television. Due to the angle, officers believe the shot was reckless and/or celebratory gunfire.

Monday, July 5

• (1:30 a.m.) The occupants of a Lexus shot fireworks from the car windows while in the drive-through at Cook Out on 15th Street.
• (1 p.m.) A caller at Elm Street Mobile Home Park reported that children were shooting fireworks that had hit her residence several times.
• (2:40 p.m.) A 21-year-old man was struck by fireworks shot by three preteens in the area of Third Avenue and 37th Street. He was not seriously injured.
• A resident of Short 24th Street reported that fireworks struck the rear of her house, starting a small fire that she extinguished before making the report.
• (7:15 p.m.) Children threw fireworks onto a porch in Lynnwood Park where a group of adults was sitting outside. No one was injured.
• (8:30 p.m.) Callers reported that a group of teenagers were driving in the area of Elm Street and shooting fireworks out the windows at houses and children.

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