On a Thursday afternoon in Pratt City, a quiet neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, what seemed at first glance like a burglary call turned into a heartbreaking domestic tragedy. At about 12:15 p.m. on November 13, law enforcement responded to a 911 call from 25-year-old Jeffrey Rogers, who claimed he had shot a woman trying to break into his home.
When officers arrived at the home in the 2000-block of 10th Street, they found 20-year-old Bria McNeal‑Williams fatally shot in the back doorway of the residence. Initially labeled as a possible burglary, the investigation quickly shifted when detectives discovered she had not attempted to break in.
Further investigation revealed Bria and Jeffrey were in a dating relationship—a fact that reframed the entire incident. It wasn’t a random intruder, as initially reported, but a tragic outcome in what police describe as a domestic-related homicide.
Jeffrey Rogers remained at the scene and was detained the same day. He now faces charges of murder and “Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Firearm,” as prosecutors note Rogers is a convicted felon. He is currently being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail as the investigation continues.
The shift in the case—from a reported burglary in progress to a domestic homicide—speaks to the complexity of such calls. Officers initially believed someone was breaking into the home, as indicated by the 911 call. But they later found multiple shots had been fired and the female victim was known to the shooter.
Bria McNeal-Williams, described as a 20-year-old from Center Point, leaves behind a life cut short and loved ones grappling for answers. Authorities are piecing together what led to the shooting and uncovering the full timeline, motive and circumstances behind that fateful afternoon.
As the community processes the loss, the incident serves as a somber reminder of how quickly a domestic relationship can end in violence—and how the details behind emergency calls may mask deeper truths. With Rogers held and charges filed, the path ahead will involve legal proceedings, unanswered questions, and a family’s search for closure.
