Suspect charged in killing of âloving, good-heartedâ Jeffco mom of 3 shot in front of children
A mother of three killed Monday in a domestic shooting has now been identified.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as April Marie Britton. She was 37.
Emell O. Peavy, 48, is charged with capital murder in Britton’s slaying. Investigators said the killing was domestic-related and the charge is capital because Britton was killed in the presence of her children.
“April was such a loving, good-hearted soul whose life was cut short yesterday in a senseless act of violence,’’ said her sister, Jelisa Britton. “She didn’t deserve what happened to her.”
Emell Peavy (Jefferson County Jail)
Sheriff’s deputies and Birmingham police responded to the house in the 1200 block of Huffman Road shortly after noon Monday.
When they arrived, they found Britton had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:14 p.m.
A witness, who asked that her name not be used, said she and her husband were driving on Huffman Road when they saw two teen girls standing in the roadway waving their arms for help.
The woman said she jumped out of her car, and one of the girls told her that her mother had been shot. They called 911.
A short time later, Peavy pulled up to the house in a gold sedan. The teen girl, according to the witnesses, said “That’s who shot my mama.”
A woman was shot to death Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, behind her home in the 1200 block of Huffman Road. (Carol Robinson)
Peavy said he had just gotten home from the store. The witness’s husband held him at gunpoint until law enforcement officers arrived.
Britton’s family members described her as a loving mother, protective sister, and a caring friend. Britton leaves behind three children – ages 20, 17 and 13.
Her sister described Britton’s slaying as a senseless and horrible act of violence.
“She was a light that shone so brightly that only a devil could extinguish her,’’ Jelisa Britton said. “We lost a damn good soul today. My heart is forever broken.”
A GoFundMe has been started to help with Britton’s burial. Donations can be made here.
Peavy was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 6:15 p.m. Monday. He is being held without bond.
“Domestic violence is a plague and an epidemic in our communities,’’ Jelisa Britton said. “I pray that it can and will get better.”