1 year ago
31
Birmingham police announced the arrest Thursday of a 2021 deadly shooting on Easter Sunday.Jalynd Rashad Rayford was taken into custody in Georgia. He is from Birmingham, according to officers. Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WVTM 13On Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, officers responded to W.C. Patton Park for reports of gunfire, according to the Birmingham Police Department.Responding officers discovered Areyelle Yarbrough lying on the ground near her vehicle, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound; she was pronounced dead at the scene.Five other community members, ages 21, 17, 16, 15 and 5 years old, were wounded by gunfire.“This is the whole reason that you’re a law enforcement officer — to be able to tell a family that you’ve arrested the person responsible for their loved one’s death, to get some closure for their family,” Birmingham police Chief Scott Thurmond said. “Our investigators never give up. Regardless of how old a case may be, they’re always working to solve those cases, and I know that’s the frustration of many families is that they feel like they’re case is not being worked.”Thurmond said this arrest brings closure to Birmingham citizens, and most importantly, to Areyelle’s family. Her father feels justice for his daughter is coming.“Giving credit to God almighty for his timing,” Areyelle’s father Michael Yarbrough, said. “I am grateful that we have closure now and that the young man has been arrested and we will watch the criminal system work and do its job.”Det. Jonathan Ross told Areyelle’s father about Rayford’s arrest in his daughter’s murder.“It was a surprise,” Ross said. “I’m just as happy as he is. This case sat on my desk for a long time, and I’m as happy as he is.”Police said their goal is to solve any cold case death, no matter how long it’s been. Thurmond hopes the arrest made in Areyelle’s murder keeps other families who may feel forgotten about from giving up on justice.“I think this is just a good sign of a case that’s over two years old and we are continuing to work on all cases,” Thurmond said. “Don’t lose hope. We’re working on all of them. I can assure you.”Police will go down to Georgia to interview Rayford and look at the evidence that was found when he was arrested. They said he will be extradited back to Birmingham, but he could fight it.Police are still looking for other suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 205-254-777, or the FBI at 1-800-225-5324. Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —
Birmingham police announced the arrest Thursday of a 2021 deadly shooting on Easter Sunday.
Jalynd Rashad Rayford was taken into custody in Georgia. He is from Birmingham, according to officers.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WVTM 13
On Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, officers responded to W.C. Patton Park for reports of gunfire, according to the Birmingham Police Department.
Responding officers discovered Areyelle Yarbrough lying on the ground near her vehicle, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound; she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hearst Owned
Areyelle YarbroughFive other community members, ages 21, 17, 16, 15 and 5 years old, were wounded by gunfire.
“This is the whole reason that you’re a law enforcement officer — to be able to tell a family that you’ve arrested the person responsible for their loved one’s death, to get some closure for their family,” Birmingham police Chief Scott Thurmond said. “Our investigators never give up. Regardless of how old a case may be, they’re always working to solve those cases, and I know that’s the frustration of many families is that they feel like they’re case is not being worked.”
Thurmond said this arrest brings closure to Birmingham citizens, and most importantly, to Areyelle’s family. Her father feels justice for his daughter is coming.
“Giving credit to God almighty for his timing,” Areyelle’s father Michael Yarbrough, said. “I am grateful that we have closure now and that the young man has been arrested and we will watch the criminal system work and do its job.”
Det. Jonathan Ross told Areyelle’s father about Rayford’s arrest in his daughter’s murder.
“It was a surprise,” Ross said. “I’m just as happy as he is. This case sat on my desk for a long time, and I’m as happy as he is.”
Police said their goal is to solve any cold case death, no matter how long it’s been. Thurmond hopes the arrest made in Areyelle’s murder keeps other families who may feel forgotten about from giving up on justice.
“I think this is just a good sign of a case that’s over two years old and we are continuing to work on all cases,” Thurmond said. “Don’t lose hope. We’re working on all of them. I can assure you.”
Police will go down to Georgia to interview Rayford and look at the evidence that was found when he was arrested. They said he will be extradited back to Birmingham, but he could fight it.
Police are still looking for other suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 205-254-777, or the FBI at 1-800-225-5324. Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
English (US)