South Pratt Neighborhood Shooting Leaves Bria Danielle McNeal-Williams Dead in Doorway Thursday Afternoon
South Pratt, Birmingham — Bria Danielle McNeal-Williams, a 20-year-old whose life should’ve stretched far beyond a quiet Thursday afternoon, was found in the back doorway of a residence in the 2000 block of 10th Street, suffering from a gunshot wound that left first responders fighting against time. Officers arrived just after 12:15 p.m., responding to what initially seemed like a typical report of a suspected break-in. Instead, they walked into a scene that immediately shifted from routine to deeply unsettling.
When Birmingham officers stepped onto the property, McNeal-Williams was still in the doorway—exactly where the emergency call had placed her—unmoving, critically wounded, and surrounded by the shell casings that would become the first pieces of evidence in a developing investigation. Paramedics fought to revive her, working through their protocols with urgency, but their efforts ultimately couldn’t bring her back. She was pronounced dead at the scene, her final moments spent in a place where she had not been expected or known.
Inside the home was the man who had called 911, telling dispatchers that someone had attempted to break in. Detectives later confirmed that multiple shots had been fired during the encounter. But even with that early information, investigators emphasized one thing: the nature of the connection between the resident and McNeal-Williams—if such a connection existed at all—remains absolutely central to understanding what happened.
The resident who dialed for help was taken into custody for questioning almost immediately. Birmingham police have made it clear that while he is cooperating, no charges have been announced. As they dig through witness statements, examine ballistic evidence, and search for any trace of motive or prior contact, detectives say the picture remains incomplete.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office formally identified McNeal-Williams the following day. Their report confirmed she died from a gunshot wound sustained during what was reported as a residential burglary attempt. While that detail offers a partial framework, investigators have not established whether it accurately reflects the full truth of the situation, or whether there were circumstances leading up to the shooting that remain unknown.
Now, the Birmingham Police Department’s Homicide Unit is urging the public for help, stressing that unanswered questions continue to slow progress. They’re asking anyone who knows something—no matter how small—to come forward, whether directly or through Crime Stoppers. The case sits at a crossroads where even a single lead could clarify why a young woman ended up in that doorway and how a confrontation escalated to gunfire.
For loved ones of Bria Danielle McNeal-Williams, heartbreak now mixes with a need for clarity. What happened inside that South Pratt yard has left a family and community searching for truth, closure, and a sense of justice. Our deepest sympathies go out to all who cherished her, hoping answers arrive soon and her memory is honored with truth.