Prichard’s Police Department is “failing the citizens of that city,” according to Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch following the last outburst of gun violence that led to a 2-year-old being shot in the face.

It’s the second time in a little more than a year in which the county’s sheriff has made that comment.

Sheriff Paul Burch, during a news conference Wednesday, accused the agency of not following up on a call after a shooting occurred around 4 a.m. on Vestavia Street.

That shooting occurred a short distance away from St. Stephen’s Woods, where the 2-year-old boy was shot in the face hours before at around 1 a.m. while sleeping in the same bed as his mother and father.

Burch said the shootings are gang-related and involve teenagers. The boy was taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries. His condition was not immediately known.

“We met with a resident while canvassing Vestavia Street who said he called Prichard police at 4 a.m. but never got a response, and never saw a (police) vehicle,” Burch said. “The citizens showed the phone call, and it was clearly made (to the city agency).”

Burch, whose agency is assisting Prichard with major crime investigations, said he believes the agency is causing problems for the city’s residents.

“I know they are limited in their resources,” Burch said. “We are doing all their major crime investigations and have been for several months. They are still citizens of Mobile County.”

He added, “I understand they have manpower issues. At some point, you have to decide whether to throw in the towel or not. If you cannot (police your city), what are you there for?”

Prichard Mayor Jimmie Gardner said he was not aware of the details about the incident and declined to comment about Burch’s specific concerns over the 4 a.m. shooting. Police Chief Walter Knight did not return a call for comment.

Gardner said it wasn’t helpful for the sheriff to be pointing fingers at Prichard police.

 He acknowledged that public officials have been frustrated in recent days over gun violence, particularly after Sunday’s fatal shooting of a 27-year-old man inside a crowded Saenger Theatre in downtown Mobile during a kid’s dance recital.

“I think it is sad to me that is would have been said,” Gardner said. “I’m saddened on these incidents. I’m saddened more when we point fingers.”

Burch’s criticism of the Prichard Police Department isn’t anything new. Last spring, he claimed the police department was “failing” its citizens after a convenience store shooting took place.

Burch accused the department of failing to sign warrants on the shooter in the past, which could have prevented the crime.

The criticism led to Knight to release a letter claiming that Republican authorities in the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney were attempting to perpetuate a “racist narrative” to discredit the police department in a city that is 88% Black.

However, in December, the Sheriff’s Department started handling major crime investigations for Prichard. This occurred due to “critical staffing issues” within the Prichard police department.

Gardner said at the time that the move allowed officers to focus on other essential needs of the community outside of major crimes like sexual assaults, homicides and assaults with a weapon.

Burch said on Wednesday that he has “no problem working together” with Prichard police.

But he said he was also “really, really frustrated over” the shootings and the gang activity that was occurring.

No arrests have been made and Burch is urging the public to assist them with their investigation by contacting the agency at 251-574-8633 or visit www.mobileso.com/crimetips/ to provide information.

“It’s gangs and frankly, I wish we could put them in the same arena and let them kill the hell out of each other,” Burch said. “That would solve the problem. It’s the innocent people who get shot.”

Burch said the shooters were targeting another teenager at the time of the shooting. He said the incident involved gang activity.

Suspicious activity had occurred at the apartment complex hours before the shooting.

At around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, authorities received a call about two dead bodies being discovered within the complex. There was no call back number, and Burch said he believed the call was a “hoax.”

Burch said he plans to get more aggressive with obtaining juvenile records that are often kept sealed by judges.

He said legislative action “could certainly force it to happen,” but he said that judges could grant law enforcement more access to juvenile court records.

He is also calling on the community to be more aggressive against gun violence.

“It’s getting to the point where the businesses in these areas and the community needs to step up and support the efforts of law enforcement to bring violent gang members to justice,” Burch said.

Gardner is also calling on the community to be more vigilant. In a statement he made about the shooting, the mayor said, “We must come together as a community to demand better and to work tirelessly to make our homes and streets safer for every child and every family.”

“We must come together as a community to demand better and to work tirelessly to make our homes and streets safer for every child and every family.”