Teen Charged with Capital Murder in Fatal Shooting of Huffman High School Student
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A 17-year-old has been charged with capital murder in connection with the February shooting death of Ronald Martez Bennett Jr., an 18-year-old student at Huffman High School, Birmingham police confirmed Thursday.
Due to the suspect’s age, authorities have not released his name, but officials say the teen is now facing one of the most serious charges under Alabama law—capital murder—in what investigators have described as a targeted and deliberate act of violence.
The fatal shooting occurred in the early hours of Saturday, February 1, in the 600 block of Eighth Terrace West, a typically quiet residential area. According to police, gunfire erupted just after midnight at approximately 12:21 a.m., shattering the stillness of the night. Witnesses and responding officers reported hearing more than two dozen shots fired in rapid succession.
Ronald Bennett was behind the wheel of a vehicle when he was struck by multiple rounds of gunfire. Authorities believe the shooting was not random but instead a targeted attack, though the motive behind it remains under investigation.
As bullets tore through the vehicle, chaos followed. A passenger inside the car attempted to take control of the vehicle in a desperate attempt to escape the ambush. However, the vehicle careened off course, crashing into the shrubbery and eventually the front porch of a nearby home, adding further trauma and destruction to the already violent scene.
When officers arrived, they found Bennett lying on the ground outside of the vehicle. He had suffered fatal gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The loss of Ronald Bennett Jr., a senior at Huffman High School, sent ripples of grief through the Birmingham community. Described by those who knew him as respectful, driven, and full of potential, Bennett’s death has left a painful void at his school and among his peers.
“The community is still mourning the loss of a young man whose life was taken far too soon,” said a spokesperson from Birmingham City Schools in a statement issued earlier this year. “We are continuing to offer grief counseling and support to students and staff affected by this tragedy.”
The arrest of the teenage suspect marks a major development in a case that had left many in the community seeking answers. While authorities have not disclosed details about how the suspect was identified or apprehended, they confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing and additional charges could be forthcoming, depending on the outcome.
Detectives are continuing to seek any witnesses who may have information related to the shooting. They are urging anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious in the area that night to come forward.
“Gun violence, especially among young people, continues to be a heartbreaking challenge in our city,” said Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond. “We are committed to pursuing justice for Ronald and ensuring that those responsible for this heinous act are held fully accountable.”
As the case moves through the legal system, it is unclear whether the 17-year-old suspect will be tried as an adult. In Alabama, juveniles charged with capital offenses may be subject to transfer to adult court, pending a judicial review.
For now, the Birmingham Police Department says it remains focused on completing the investigation and supporting the victim’s family through what continues to be a deeply painful ordeal.
This is a developing story. More details will be shared as they become available.