Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Montgomery, Alabama – On August 7, 2023, a federal judge sentenced 42-year-old Gerald Dyron Little, from Montgomery, Alabama, to 120 months in prison for illegally possessing ammunition he used during a shooting at a funeral, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. In addition to the ten-year sentence, the judge also ordered that Little serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records and evidence presented during his March 2023 trial, on June 26, 2021, Little caused a disruption during a memorial service in Fort Deposit, Alabama, and was asked to leave. Little returned later while graveside services were ongoing at a nearby cemetery and, while still in his vehicle, began arguing with family members.  The argument escalated and Little fired a handgun from the open window of the vehicle. Bullets struck four funeral attendees including the brother of the deceased, who died from his injuries. Forensic evidence proved that the shell casings recovered from the scene came from ammunition possessed by Little during the shooting. Little has a previous felony conviction and is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition. State charges related to the shooting are pending.

“It goes without saying that mourners should not have to fear gun violence when they gather to honor and remember a loved one,” stated United States Attorney Stewart. “It is my hope that this prosecution will serve as a reminder that there is no place in our communities for actions like those Little took. My office is committed to ensuring that that those who possess firearms and ammunition unlawfully, especially those who do so in a way that causes harm to others, are held accountable.”

“This prohibited person showed total disregard for the law and committed an inhumane act of violence against an innocent group of grieving people,” stated Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the men and women of the ATF and our valued law enforcement partners in their efforts to confront violent crime. We will continue to work collaboratively and tirelessly to keep our communities safe from people who endanger our neighborhoods.”

This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Deposit Police Department investigated this case, with assistance from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon W. Bates, Joel Feil, and Stephen K. Moulton prosecuted the case.

###