MOBILE, AL — A heart-wrenching and deeply disturbing domestic incident rocked the city of Mobile, Alabama, over the weekend, leaving an entire community reeling in the wake of a double shooting that claimed the lives of a mother and one of her sons. Law enforcement officials and neighbors alike are grappling with the trauma and unanswered questions following the tragedy, which unfolded inside a quiet home in a residential neighborhood.

The deceased have been identified as Traci Lavern McDuffie, a beloved mother and community member, and her adult son, whose name has not yet been released pending full family notification. McDuffie, who was in her 40s, was reportedly shot multiple times—authorities say at least ten rounds were fired—during a violent altercation with her younger son inside their family home.

A Mother Fatally Shot by Her Son

According to the Mobile Police Department, the incident occurred on Saturday evening, June 7, 2025, at a residence in the city’s western district. Officers were dispatched to the home following a frantic 911 call made by a neighbor who reported hearing multiple gunshots and screaming.

Upon arrival, officers discovered the scene of what they described as an “unimaginable act of domestic violence.” McDuffie was found inside the home with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite first responders’ attempts to save her life, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Initial investigations suggest that an argument between McDuffie and her younger son escalated to deadly violence. Sources close to the investigation have stated that the son retrieved a firearm during the dispute and opened fire on his mother in what investigators believe was a fit of rage. The motive behind the altercation is still under investigation, though detectives have ruled out the involvement of outside parties.

A Second Life Lost

Tragically, the violence did not end there. Police say that following the shooting, another son of McDuffie—an older sibling—returned home and encountered the aftermath. According to preliminary accounts, a confrontation ensued between the siblings. In an unclear sequence of events, a second round of gunfire occurred, resulting in the younger son also being fatally shot. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Law enforcement is still piecing together the exact timeline and details of the confrontation. It remains uncertain whether the second shooting was in self-defense, retaliation, or an accidental consequence of the trauma and chaos that had just unfolded.

Family and Community in Mourning

Neighbors described Traci McDuffie as a warm, hard-working woman who devoted her life to her children. “She was always there for them,” said one neighbor tearfully. “To hear that she died like this, in her own home, by the hands of her own child—it’s unbearable.”

Family members gathered outside the home on Sunday, consoling one another and trying to process the devastating loss. “She loved her boys more than anything,” said a cousin. “Whatever pain or argument happened that night… it should never have come to this.”

Community leaders in Mobile have expressed their sorrow and called for expanded mental health and domestic violence resources. “This tragedy shines a heartbreaking light on the need for more intervention and support within families dealing with crisis,” said Pastor Andre Simmons of a local church, who has offered counseling and prayer for the grieving family.

Investigation Ongoing

Mobile Police Chief Paul Prine confirmed that the department’s homicide unit is continuing to investigate all aspects of the incident, including the origin of the firearm used in both shootings and whether any previous domestic disputes had been reported at the home. Autopsies are being conducted on both victims, and ballistic tests are underway.

At this time, no charges have been filed against the older son who was involved in the second shooting, but authorities say all angles are being explored before conclusions are drawn.

A Call for Peace and Healing

The double shooting has left a heavy cloud over Mobile and ignited conversations about gun violence, family conflict, and emotional wellness. In response, a candlelight vigil is being organized in honor of Traci McDuffie and her son, with the aim of bringing the community together to mourn, heal, and stand against domestic violence.

As Mobile comes to terms with the shock of this devastating loss, many are left asking how such a horrific act could have taken place inside a family home—and how similar tragedies might be prevented in the future. For now, the pain is raw, the grief is overwhelming, and a family once bound by love is now shattered by violence.