The mother of slain Birmingham Firefighter Jordan Melton said she’s relieved an arrest has been made but said she knows there’s still a long road ahead in the quest for justice for her son.

“This is a step in the right direction however it’s still an ongoing investigation,’’ Rochelle Gaston Malone said in a Wednesday statement. “This has resurfaced a lot of emotions.”

Birmingham police on Tuesday announced a capital murder warrant against 22-year-old Damien Laron McDaniel III in Melton’s killing. They also announced his arrest in two other previously unsolved homicides.

McDaniel now stands charged in the shooting deaths of 14 people, and the wounding of 29 others, in a span of just about 14 months. Those charges include two mass shootings – one at Hush Lounge on the city’s Southside and the other at Trendsetters, a private event venue in north Birmingham.

Both establishments have since closed.

Melton, 29, died July 26, 2023, at UAB Hospital, five days after he and firefighter Jamal Jones were shot in the chest and legs at Station 9.

They had just gone on duty on duty at the station, at 1228 27th St. North, when a shooter entered the fire station through the bay door, which typically remains open to be accessible to residents who need assistance.

Jones was critically injured and later promoted to the rank of sergeant. He has not yet been able to return to work.

After the shooting, Station 9 remained closed until December 2023.

Police have not released a motive in Melton’s slaying.

Prior to his death, Melton was a witness to the 2021 slaying of 27-year-old Eric Tyler Sledge Jr., a Hoover father. The case went to trial in 2024, and the suspect was acquitted.

Police have not said whether they have considered that as part of the investigation into Melton’s killing.

Larry Rollins was charged with Sledge’s murder. Rollins’ lawyers argued it was self-defense and he was acquitted.

Rollins and McDaniel are charged with capital murder in the death of a man shot the night after the mass shooting outside the Hush Lounge in Five Points South.

Rollins attorneys previously said he has been “demonized” in the media.

Melton, affectionately known by many as Chato, has been remembered as an ambitious young man with an infectious smile and an unfailing love for those around him. He not only dreamed of being firefighter since he was a child, but one day hoped to be a fire chief.

Malone previously said before Melton was killed, he had expressed to her that he had a desire to mentor young men who had lost their way or seemed to be heading down the wrong path.

“With that thought,’’ she said, “the Holy Spirit said, ‘Purpose through the pain.’’

Malone established The Jordan E. Melton Empowerment and Mentorship Society, a nonprofit organization “committed to empowering youth to respond to violence with resilience and wisdom.” The focus is to educate, motivate and cultivate a lifestyle free of violence and gun violence.

Malone thanked the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for its “tireless work and dedication to the case.”

Malone asked that she and her family be allowed to process the news privately.

“My public focus is that of advocacy,’’ Malone said. “There’s greater awareness to be made to our community of young people and I’d like to remain focused on that.”