Woman dead after shooting in Alabama Village

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - Police are on the hunt Wednesday for whoever shot and killed a 24-year-old woman in Prichard's Alabama Village.

Prichard Police said it happened around 8 p.m. Tuesday night on Hale Drive. Prichard Police Chief Jimmie Gardner said two others were also injured in the shooting when a suspect approached them in a green Toyota Camry.

Claudia Cook clung to a picture of her granddaughter, Detoria Cook, who she said was killed in the shooting. She spoke to FOX10 about the investigation and the gun violence plaguing her community.

The woman was gunned down on Hale Drive in Alabama Village Tuesday night.

"Everybody was looking for her, I got a phone call and they said Detoria is lying down here on the ground. She has been shot. I said no, please don't tell me that, please don't tell me that," said Claudia Cook.

Prichard Police Chief Jimmie Gardner said those involved are known to each other.

Wednesday, September 12 friends of Detoria placed a cross at the spot where the shooting happened. They've placed a scarf they say she was wearing the night her life ended, along with a necklace, a rose and a stuffed animal.

"She was just so happy and a beautiful smile, out of this world. I am going to miss her. We are all going to miss her," said Natashe Watts.

Meanwhile, her family grieves for the young mother of one, who was killed just a block from her home. 

"I am her mama and I just want justice solved, they did not have to do her like that. I miss my baby, that is the only one I had and I just want her back and I know I can't get her back," said Cynthia Cook.

Cook's grandmother said this is the second grandchild she has lost to violence on Hale Drive. She pointed to a picture of a young Detoria and a male cousin nearby. Claudia Cook said he was killed on Hale Drive two years ago.

She wonders what it would take to end the killing that plagues her community. She said something has to be done about the gun violence in the area, starting with taking care of the children.

"They are killing up each other. We stay in the same community, and they talk together and play together and be together. I don't understand why they want to kill each other and shoot up each other," said Claudia Cook.

Their deaths leave behind families, like the Cooks, who said they will make final arrangements and try to ensure that Detoria's 4-year-old son never forgets her.

The three people police are looking for are:

Dennis Carl Hayward, Jr., aka 'Bug'. He is 24-years-old and his last known address is 1410 Bibb Street Prichard, Ala.

A black male who goes by the street name 'Cheese'. They say he drives the older model green Toyota Camry. The vehicle's paint is faded and is possibly missing a hubcap. The vehicle will also probably have several bullet holes as a result of the shooting. They say he may have sustained a gunshot wound.

A black male who goes by the street name 'Braxton'.

Anyone who has any information of these men are asked to call the Prichard Police Department at 251-452-2211.