Ensley toddler shooting

The toddler was struck during the crossfire of an Ensley shooting. He died at the hospital. (Ivana Hrynkiw | ihrynkiw@al.com)

A 4-year-old was shot and killed today in Ensley.

Birmingham police received a call of shots fired in the 3100 block of Avenue Q around 2:30 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the child had been shot outside his home.

The 4-year-old, whose name has not been released, was rushed to the Children's Hospital. He died soon after arrival.

Sgt. Bryan Shelton said the preliminary investigation revealed the suspect went to the home of the victim and confronted multiple adults there about a cell phone that both adults' children were arguing over.

Both people began shooting, and the toddler was struck during the crossfire.

The suspect then fled the scene.

"It really tugs at your heart that someone under the age of five is a victim of this kind of violence," he said.

Shelton said the incident was "senseless" and showed a disregard for life.

Herman Henderson, president of Stop of the Violence Birmingham, said that the people responsible for the child's death are "thugs."

"When you can't sit on your porch- that's sad."

Police initially said the child was critically injured. When they received news the young boy had died, Henderson became visibly distraught.

"They're talking about how black lives matter, this young baby's life matters."

Shelton said that the incident was tragic, because this family was enjoying their Sunday before the toddler, an innocent bystander, was shot.

"How many life moments in this child's life were lost tonight? You can't count the number. Birthdays, graduations, first this or that, none will be seen by this mother or the family. Precious moments lost over a cellphone. You can't make sense of that."

"It's the fifth birthday, the sixth birthday that they won't see," he said.

No suspects are in custody at this time and police did not give any physical descriptions of suspects.

If you have any information about the shooting, call the Birmingham police Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or CrimeStoppers at 205-254-7777.