Aldorthia M. Burrell Obituary, Death Cause – An evening of violence in Birmingham turned tragic Wednesday night when an 82-year-old woman was killed by a stray bullet while sitting peacefully on her porch in the Jones Valley neighborhood. The Birmingham Police Department reported that officers were dispatched to Balsam Avenue SW just before 8 p.m. after receiving calls about gunfire. When officers arrived, they found the victim, identified as Aldorthia M. Burrell, lying on the ground between her front door and her enclosed porch.
Burrell had been struck by a bullet believed to have come from a nearby altercation. Police said the gunfire erupted on 33rd Street, only one block away from Burrell’s home. Sadly, she was caught in the crossfire while sitting outside her residence.
Emergency responders rushed Burrell to UAB Hospital, but despite efforts to save her life, she succumbed to her injuries shortly afterward.
At the scene, Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett expressed outrage and grief over the senseless nature of the incident. “This is unacceptable,” he said firmly. “It’s unacceptable in Birmingham. It’s unacceptable anywhere for an older woman—an elderly woman—to be sitting on her porch and her life be taken away from her. For her to be taken from her family. It’s unacceptable.”
The police chief’s words reflected the deep frustration that both law enforcement and the community feel about the persistence of gun violence in Birmingham, where stray bullets and neighborhood disputes too often turn deadly.
As of now, no suspects have been taken into custody. Investigators are working to identify who was involved in the gunfire exchange on 33rd Street and how Burrell was struck. Detectives are canvassing the area, gathering surveillance footage, and interviewing potential witnesses. Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward to help them hold those responsible accountable.
The killing of Aldorthia Burrell highlights the devastating ripple effects of gun violence—where innocent bystanders, in this case an elderly woman simply sitting on her porch, become unintended victims. Community leaders and residents are expected to call for stronger measures to address violence and prevent further tragedies.
Burrell’s death adds to Birmingham’s rising homicide numbers in 2025, a trend that city officials have been working to combat through community policing initiatives, intervention programs, and partnerships with local organizations. Still, tragedies like this remind residents of the urgent need for solutions.
Neighbors in the Jones Valley area have expressed shock and sorrow at the incident, describing Burrell as a kind and well-loved member of the community. Her sudden and violent death has left family and friends devastated, while also sparking renewed concern about safety in the neighborhood.
The investigation remains active, and police have promised to provide updates as new details emerge. For now, Burrell’s family and the Birmingham community are left mourning a life cut short by senseless violence.
