A 16-year-old girl was killed early Sunday in an apparent drive-by shooting in Birmingham.

Birmingham police identified the victim as Arrielle Lashawn Parker-Jeffries. She was a student a Wenonah High School where she was a rising senior and a majorette.

"She was very smart, stayed out of trouble and just liked to have fun and enjoy life,'' said one of her longtime friends, Chaseity William. "She was very active and always had a smile on her face. She had big dreams in life. She was going to be successful."

Sgt. Johnny Williams said East Precinct officers responded about 12:05 a.m. Sunday to the 200 block of Westwood Drive on a call of shots fired. Once on the scene, they were unable to find any signs of gun activity.

A short time later, police were notified of a teen girl arriving at Children's of Alabama by personal vehicle. Arrielle was suffering from a gunshot wound and pronounced dead about 30 minutes later.

Williams said investigators received information that Arrielle was in a vehicle on Westwood Drive when a dark-colored vehicle passed and began firing into the car.

"There are very few details on this investigation at this time,'' he said. "Investigators are attempting to locate witnesses and obtain additional insight to the details of the shooting."

Birmingham City Schools officials on Sunday released a statement offering their deepest sympathy to Arrielle's family. "As a community we must continue to come together to address violence against our youth," the statement reads. "We must also remain steadfast and committed to finding positive solutions to address and end gun violence."

Arrielle's uncle, DeNorris Barnes, was shot and killed at a Birmingham gas station while changing a tire last month.

Arrielle's death is the 55th in Birmingham in 2018, and the 81st in all of Jefferson County including the Birmingham slayings. She was one of two people to die this weekend from shootings in the city. A 63-year-old man died Saturday after a Thursday night shooting.

Williams said additional information will be released as soon as it becomes available. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.