Jeffrey Rogers, 25, has been arrested and charged with murder after Birmingham police say he shot and killed 20-year-old Bria Danielle McNeal-Williams in his Pratt City home — a woman he was dating. Authorities initially responded to reports of a burglary, but the investigation quickly turned to a domestic crime.
According to law enforcement, the shooting happened around 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, in the 2000 block of 10th Street in Pratt City, when Rogers called 911 claiming someone was breaking into his home. When officers arrived, they found McNeal-Williams lying near the back door, suffering from a gunshot wound. Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Initial reports of a supposed break-in did not hold up under scrutiny. Detectives say they found no evidence of forced entry, and instead determined that the shooting was linked to a domestic relationship — not an intruder. Police say they later learned that Rogers and McNeal-Williams were in a dating relationship.
Rogers was arrested at the scene on the same day and is now being held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail. He faces charges of murder and possession of a firearm by someone who is forbidden to have one.
The community has been reeling. The news of McNeal-Williams’ death quickly spread on social media, with friends, family, and neighbors expressing shock, grief, and a strong call for justice.
Birmingham Police say this remains an active investigation, and they intend to release more details as detectives interview witnesses and gather evidence.
The circumstances of the tragedy — a 911 call made by someone she knew, followed by her death — have raised uncomfortable questions about domestic violence and the ways in which cries for help can be manipulated. As the investigation continues, many are watching closely, hoping for answers and accountability.
