BESSEMER, Ala. — A mother in Birmingham is reeling from the tragic loss of her only son, a 19-year-old who was killed while working at an Amazon warehouse. Tyler Neil Alexander, a recent high school graduate, was on break at the facility Sunday night when a shooting broke out in the parking lot.
The chaos unfolded around 10:40 p.m. at the Amazon Fulfillment Center, leaving Alexander fatally wounded. His mother, Sophie Brown, described him as a caring young man determined to make something of himself. “I need to find out who killed my son while he was being a productive citizen,” she said.
Local police have not announced any arrests and are investigating the shooting’s circumstances, including whether any of the employees were involved. Investigators processed the scene, marking at least ten evidence points as they worked through the details of the tragic event. In response to the shooting, Amazon canceled the remainder of the night shift and offered counseling services for employees affected by the incident.
Brown, who works in health care, was preparing for her son’s arrival home after his shift when she received the devastating news. In her usual routine, she had planned to make him his favorite meals, a gesture of love she performed after each workday. However, that night, a call from her daughter delivered heart-wrenching news instead.
When she rushed to the scene, security stopped Brown, demanding identification as chaos reigned around her. “Did you ask anyone for an ID when my son was killed just a few minutes ago?” she recalled asking a guard. The emotional strain of being denied access at such a critical moment only compounded her grief.
Brown described her son as outgoing and generous, a young man dedicated to his family and friends. Just weeks into his job at Amazon, he had expressed pride in his role, excited to have been given a walkie-talkie to coordinate tasks. He previously worked at Taco Bell, where he earned a reputation as a respected shift leader.
Despite the loss, she highlighted Alexander’s compassion and warmth. She recounted a moment from earlier in the week when he slipped her money to pay for her nails, showcasing his caring nature. As a further testament to his character, she remembered how he rescued a wounded dog from the street, demonstrating profound empathy and responsibility.
Vowing to seek justice for her son, Brown criticized the security measures at the facility, calling for stricter protocols in the parking lot to prevent further tragedies. “There needs to be tighter security outside,” she emphasized, urging the community to reflect on the wariness surrounding such incidents.
As she wrestles with her grief, Brown remembers her son’s infectious smile and his zest for life. “He would have given you the shirt off his back,” she said about the person he was, urging the shooter to think about the impact of their actions.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Bessemer police or submit tips to Crime Stoppers. Brown continues to grapple with her loss, determined to find answers, as her heartache transforms into a quest for justice.