6th grader killed with 19-year-old in Forestdale âhad his whole life ahead of him,â superintendent says
Students and faculty at Minor Middle School are mourning the loss of a sixth grader who was one of two people killed in a Monday night shooting at a Forestdale apartment complex.
Johnathan Cottingham, 13, was killed along with Louis Craig IV, 19, of Birmingham.
Just before 8 p.m. Monday, deputies responded to a call of shots fire in the 200 block of Chickasaw Drive near Forestdale.
A third teen was inside the car at the time of the shooting. He was able to escape unharmed and ran to a nearby residence for help. No arrests have been made.
“The JEFCOED Family is mourning the loss of Minor Middle School student Johnathan Cottingham,” a statement from Jefferson County schools superintendent Walter Gonsoulin read.
“He had his whole life ahead of him, and it is heartbreaking to lose someone so young to an act of violence. His family, his friends, and his teachers are all in my prayers today. I also pray the person responsible will be brought to justice quickly. The JEFCOED Cares team has been on campus all day assisting students and faculty.”