4-year-old girl shot in head, Phenix City man arrested

Suspect faces 5 counts of attempted murder after shooting at apartment complex

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:09pm

A 4-year-old girl was shot in the head while sleeping at an apartment in Phenix City, Alabama. Police have arrested Youhan Jones Jr. and charged him with five counts of attempted murder, as well as one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling. Two other people were also arrested for allegedly helping Jones evade police.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence affecting innocent children in the Phenix City community. It raises concerns about domestic disputes escalating to deadly violence and the need for better prevention and intervention measures to protect vulnerable populations.

The details

According to police, officers responded to a call about a shooting at the Whispering Pines Apartments on Sunday. They found the 4-year-old girl had been shot in the head while she slept. Youhan Jones Jr., who was reportedly in a dating relationship with the child's mother, has been charged with five counts of attempted murder as the residence was occupied by four other victims during the shooting, including two more children. No one else was injured. While investigating the case, police also arrested two people - Vantasia Mayes, a friend of Jones, and Stephanie Ward, his mother - for allegedly helping Jones evade them.

  • The shooting incident occurred on Sunday.
  • Police arrested Youhan Jones Jr. on Monday.

The players

Youhan Jones Jr.

A man arrested and charged with five counts of attempted murder and one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling after a 4-year-old girl was shot in the head at an apartment in Phenix City, Alabama.

Vantasia Mayes

A friend of Youhan Jones Jr. who was arrested and charged with first-degree hindering prosecution for allegedly helping Jones evade police.

Stephanie Ward

The mother of Youhan Jones Jr. who was arrested and charged with first-degree hindering prosecution for allegedly helping Jones evade police.

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What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant bail for Youhan Jones Jr. at a hearing later this week.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for greater gun violence prevention measures and domestic abuse intervention programs in the Phenix City community to protect vulnerable children and families from senseless acts of violence.