Raylee Dior Allen

The life of Raylee Dior Allen, an 11-month-old Black girl, was tragically cut short in her Birmingham, Alabama, home in the summer of 2021. Her death prompted an immediate investigation by local law enforcement to uncover the circumstances of the fatal event.

On the evening of July 20, 2021, Birmingham police officers were dispatched to a residence on Carson Road in response to a domestic disturbance call. Upon arrival, they were met with a heartbreaking scene. Raylee’s mother, who was a Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy, was holding her daughter. The child had suffered a fatal gunshot wound.

In the immediate aftermath, both of Raylee’s parents were taken to the Birmingham Police Department's administration building for questioning as investigators worked to piece together what had happened inside the home.

Following the initial investigation, authorities identified the child's father, Robert Elijah Allen, as the suspect in her death. According to Jefferson County court records, Allen admitted to having a firearm at the scene at the time of the shooting. He was subsequently taken into custody after his bond was revoked on charges unrelated to the shooting. As of July 2021, Robert Allen remained in custody while the case proceeded.