FULTONDALE, Ala. (WIAT) — A student from Fultondale is on the road to recovery at Children’s of Alabama after being caught in a shooting incident that erupted from a dispute between his mother and another woman at their apartment complex on Monday evening.

According to Police Chief Marcel Walker, the young boy, who is in the 6th grade, underwent surgery on Tuesday after a bullet struck his left side and became lodged in his elbow. Chief Walker assured that the boy is expected to fully recover. Meanwhile, the two mothers involved in the altercation have been taken in for questioning, though no arrests have been made at this point.

Officers responded to a 911 call at the Chapel Creek Apartments at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Monday.

The incident began as a verbal dispute between two women over an earlier incident involving their children on the apartment’s playground, which eventually turned into a physical fight.

During the confrontation, one of the women brandished a firearm and discharged a single shot, inadvertently hitting the 6th grader, who was nearby and not part of the dispute.

 “I’m extremely upset and disgusted about the actions of two adult women,” the Chief stated. “This is no place for two mothers to result in violence with a gun being present and a child being shot.”

 Neighbor Paul Harris, a father of 3, shared his reaction to the shooting:

“Parents got to do better,” he remarked. “They got to sit down and be able to talk stuff out when it’s got something to do with the kids.”

Lauren Arnold is a licensed professional counselor at Impact Family Counseling.

 When it comes to having tough conversations, she said making sure you’re calm is key, and if you feel your temperature starting to rise you should walk away.

 “I think walking away is important,” she explained. “De-escalation is not weakness; it’s prioritizing our safety over pride.”

 She said it’s never a good idea to bring a child along when confronting someone.

“Bringing them into that situation brings those heightened emotions,” she noted. “Not bringing them can lessen those nervous system feelings.”

 The shooting remains under investigation. Chief Walker says you can always call 911 and let local law enforcement respond.

Taylor Swift dazzled in a bridal-inspired white ensemble as she stepped out with a close companion for an evening in New York City on Tuesday, in anticipation of her upcoming wedding to Travis Kelce.

The 36-year-old acclaimed artist, who recently enjoyed time with the NFL star in London, was spotted making her way to Via Carota in Manhattan with her friend Ashley Avignone, embracing a night out on the town.

According to recent reports from the Daily Mail, Swift and Kelce are planning to exchange vows in New York City on July 3.

While the lineup of Swift’s bridesmaids remains under wraps, Avignone is a longstanding confidante, having been part of Swift’s inner circle for more than ten years and often seen accompanying the singer.

The renowned “Bad Blood” singer showcased her style with a chic white sweater dress featuring a pleated skirt, highlighting her elegant sense of fashion.

She additionally slipped into a pair of closed-toed black heels and carried a black purse over her shoulder. 

Taylor Swift, 36, rocked bridal white as she was joined by a close friend for a night out in NYC on Tuesday ahead of her wedding to Travis Kelce

The Grammy winner was seen stopping by Via Carota in the Big Apple alongside one of her gal pals for the evening excursion

Her blonde locks were pulled back into a chic ponytail while her bangs fell onto her forehead. 

A light blush was added to her cheekbones while a peach-colored matte tint was worn on her lips. 

The performer opted for minimal accessories to allow the outfit to be the main focal point and added a pair of dangly earrings as well as a dainty bracelet on her right wrist.

Avignone donned an all-black ensemble and was spotted strolling close behind Swift as they made their way to the entrance of the restaurant. 

It has also been previously claimed that the singer has asked some of her celebrity pals to be her bridesmaids, including Selena Gomez and Gigi Hadid. 

Swift’s A-list friends are reportedly planning surprises for her upcoming nuptials to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. 

According to The U.S. Sun, some of her close celebrity pals are part of the bridal party and will show never-before-seen photos and videos of the pop star to wedding guests. 

‘Much of the footage shows Taylor smiling and laughing, as she absolutely loves how funny Travis is,’ a source told the outlet.  

Daily Mail recently confirmed that Swift and Kelce are set to tie the knot in NYC on July 3

While none of Swift’s bridesmaids have been confirmed publicly, Avignone has been in Swift’s tight inner circle for over a decade and is frequently spotted by the singer’s side

The Bad Blood songstress put on a leggy display wearing a white sweater dress with a pleated skirt

Her blonde locks were pulled back into a chic ponytail while her bangs fell onto her forehead

A light blush was added to her cheekbones while a peach-colored matte tint was worn on her lips

Avignone donned an all-black ensemble and was spotted strolling close behind Swift as they made their way to the entrance of the restaurant

It has also been previously claimed that the singer has asked some of her celebrity pals to be her bridesmaids, including Selena Gomez and Gigi Hadid

Gomez is also working on a special performance by the bridal party who will belt out Swift’s hits from over the years. 

‘Everyone loved the chance to praise Taylor while singing and dancing together,’ the insider said. 

Kelce is also reportedly set to take part in the moment and ‘wants to do everything he can to ensure she has the best wedding day ever and to build lasting memories.’ 

The lovebirds, who were first romantically linked in 2023, have been keeping busy before saying ‘I do’ in July.  

Last week, Swift and Kelce enjoyed a date night as they attended the production of Romeo & Juliet in London. 

The pair were seen sitting amongst the crowd and one video on X captured the stars giving Sadie Sink a standing ovation following the performance.

The couple was also spotted stopping by Poppy Delevingne’s glitzy 40th birthday party which drew in a star-studded crowd.

Swift sweetly held hands with the professional football player as they arrived to the luxurious BoTree Hotel in Marylebone.

Swift’s A-list friends are reportedly planning surprises for her upcoming nuptials to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end

The lovebirds, who were first romantically linked in 2023, have been keeping busy before saying ‘I do’ in July; seen in March in L.A. 

The performer was effortlessly chic in a black Zimmermann dress that contained a corset bodice and floral details on the material. 

Swift layered the outfit with a long black coat and allowed her blonde locks to flow down past her shoulders in light waves.

Kelce was stylishly casual wearing a gray suit as well as a plain black shirt and black shoes.

Other celebrities that made an appearance at the bash included Cara Delevingne, Lily James, Rita Ora, Princess Eugenie and her sister Beatrice.

Last month in April, the Daily Mail confirmed that Swift and Kelce are set to tie the knot in New York on July 3.

It was previously speculated that the couple would say ‘I do’ at her lavish Rhode Island estate.

Guests who received an invitation have also been required to RSVP with a signed NDA to help keep details of the nuptials private, per a source.

The exact location of the wedding is not known, but it is said to be an arena or museum-like space.

Guests who received an invitation have also been required to RSVP with a signed NDA to help keep details of the nuptials private, per a source

Last year in August, Kelce popped the big question and Swift shared photos from the intimate engagement on Instagram with the caption: ‘Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married’

Last year in August, Kelce popped the big question and Swift shared photos from the intimate engagement on Instagram with the caption: ‘Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.’

The sports player had turned his backyard in Kansas City into a secret garden wonderland, which offered a romantic atmosphere.

He had asked Swift to marry him shortly after they recorded an episode of his New Heights podcast together.

Two months after the pair tie the knot, Kelce is scheduled to kick off the new NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs in September.  

A veteran immigration enforcement official with significant connections to the detention industry is anticipated to assume leadership of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to sources from Fox News. This anticipated appointment is likely to intensify scrutiny from Democrats due to the official’s previous affiliations with a major private prison company. Meanwhile, Republicans are advocating for increased funding and stepped-up deportation efforts for the agency.

David Venturella is poised to be appointed as the acting director of ICE following the departure of the current Acting ICE Director, Todd Lyons, who is set to step down next week, as per multiple sources familiar with the situation.

Venturella has been serving as a senior advisor within the Trump administration at ICE. His role reportedly included a senior position within the division responsible for managing detention center contracts. However, ICE has clarified that he was not involved in reviewing, approving, or recommending these contracts.

Venturella’s recruitment was facilitated by Tom Homan after President Donald Trump assumed office.

In a related note, a photograph caption indicates that ICE senior advisor Dave Venturella is expected to lead the agency in an acting capacity. (Photo credit: Ron Holman, Visalia Times-Delta via Imagn Content Services, LLC)

Before his current stint in government, Venturella worked for more than a decade at a private prison firm called The GEO Group, which has contracts with ICE to operate immigration detention facilities.

The company has faced numerous allegations and lawsuits claiming abuse, neglect and substandard care at Geo detention facilities.

Venturella, a career immigration enforcement official, made millions after moving to GEO-operated, where he worked as an executive from 2012 to 2023 and as a paid consultant through Jan. 31, 2025.

ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons was reportedly hospitalized twice amid pressure from the Trump administration to increase deportations of illegal immigrants, according to a Politico report. (Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe and John Moore/Getty Images)

He started his career in 1986 at the former INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) and as acting director and assistant director of ICE’s Office of Detention and Removal Operations.

Sources said he is well liked within ICE and one source described him as “definitely on board with the mission and the mass deportation agenda,” though he does not support certain policies, including roving immigration patrols, that were being used during former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure.

As Republicans attempt to push through a roughly $70 billion reconciliation package to fund ICE and CBP, Democrats are expected to make noise about Venturella’s prior stint with GEO, which has a history of complaints.

There will also likely be questions about Venturella’s past financial ties to GEO and potential conflicts, given reports that he has held a senior role in the ICE division that manages detention-center contracts that could go to his former employer. ICE has said Venturella has divested from GEO, has no financial ties to the company and has no role in reviewing, approving or recommending contracts.

In an era where change was imminent, a trio of words from Jason Collins reverberated through the sports world, altering its landscape forever.

Collins, who passed away at the age of 47 following a courageous battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, made history 13 years ago with a groundbreaking revelation in Sports Illustrated, marking a significant moment in sports and society.

“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay,” Collins declared in the May 6, 2013 issue of the magazine. With this bold statement, he became the first openly gay player in the NBA, paving the way for greater inclusivity and acceptance in the league.

This announcement came on the heels of similar declarations by other prominent athletes. Soccer player Robbie Rogers and WNBA star Britney Griner, fresh off being the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, had also come out publicly. Notably, six years prior, former NBA player John Amaechi had revealed his sexual orientation, though it was after his career had concluded.

At the time of his historic announcement, Collins was transitioning in his professional career, having just wrapped up a season with the Washington Wizards. He described himself as a free agent, both “literally and figuratively,” embracing a new chapter with courage and authenticity.

In his essay, Collins, who played one more NBA season for the Nets after his historic news, said he never sought to make history and that his journey in “self-discovery” came over a long journey.

“I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, ‘I’m different.’ If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.

“My journey of self-discovery and self-acknowledgement began in my hometown of Los Angeles and has taken me through two state high school championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Elite Eight, and nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons.”

Then-commissioner David Stern commended Collins for his candor and leadership shortly after he penned the essay in SI.

“As Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and [his twin brother] Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family,” Stern said. “Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue.”

In the wake of his statement, Collins, according to the New York Times, said he received a phone call of support from Tim Hardaway, who had previously said he did not like gay people and would not have wanted to be on Amaechi’s team. He also received praise from others, including then-Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

In 2021, when Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib became the first active NFL player to come out, Collins, drawing on his on experience, said the NFLer would be impacting more people than he knew.

“He’s helping people across the board, of all ages,” Collins told the Los Angeles Times.

On Tuesday, commissioner Adam Silver commended Collins for his efforts both on and off the court.

“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” Silver said in a statement. “He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador. Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.”

Collins played 13 years in the NBA, eight of which were with the Nets.