Birmingham, January 31, 2026
Sabrina Andrews has been acquitted in the fatal shooting of beloved barber Keondra Ra’Shun “Keke” Hollis during a Labor Day incident in Birmingham. Following a trial, the jury found Andrews not guilty, bringing closure to a case that has deeply affected the local community. The incident, stemming from a verbal altercation, sparked conversations about gun violence and self-defense laws in Alabama.
Birmingham
A Birmingham woman, Sabrina Andrews, has been acquitted in the 2022 Labor Day shooting death of beloved barber Keondra Ra’Shun “Keke” Hollis. Andrews, now 23, was found not guilty by a jury on Friday afternoon, concluding a trial that began earlier in the week. The verdict brings an end to the legal proceedings surrounding an incident that tragically claimed the life of a well-known community member over two years ago.
The Trial’s Conclusion
The trial of Sabrina Andrews commenced on Tuesday before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Kandice Pickett and concluded with the jury delivering a not guilty verdict on Friday afternoon. Andrews had been charged with capital murder in connection with the shooting. The charge was classified as capital because the victim, Keke Hollis, was inside a vehicle when the fatal incident occurred. An acquittal signifies that the prosecution did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime.
Details of the 2022 Incident
The tragic shooting occurred on Labor Day, September 5, 2022, at an apartment complex located in the 200 block of Third Avenue Southwest in Birmingham, specifically identified as the University Crossing Apartment. Reports indicate that the events leading up to the shooting involved a verbal altercation among multiple women throughout the day. Keondra Ra’Shun “Keke” Hollis, who was 23 years old at the time, had reportedly gone to the apartment complex with her brother to retrieve his vehicle when the confrontation escalated into violence. Hollis was fatally shot and later pronounced dead. Following the incident, Sabrina Andrews, then 19 years old, turned herself in to authorities two days after the shooting.
Community and Background
Keondra Ra’Shun “Keke” Hollis was widely known and cherished in the Birmingham community as a beloved barber. Friends and family described her as a sweet, kind-hearted young woman with a pure heart and consistently good intentions for everyone around her. Her death at the age of 23 left a profound sense of heartbreak and an immense void within her family, who expressed a desire for her to be remembered for her caring nature.
The loss of Hollis underscored broader concerns about gun violence and its impact on families in Birmingham. Her case garnered significant public attention, prompting community leaders and residents to advocate for more proactive measures to address the underlying causes of such violence in the city. The investigation into her homicide highlighted the urgent need for increased community engagement and awareness regarding violence prevention.
Legal Context: Alabama’s Self-Defense Laws
Alabama law includes provisions for self-defense, often referred to as the “Stand Your Ground” law, which was enacted in 2006. This law permits individuals to use physical force, including deadly physical force, if they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend themselves or a third person from the imminent use of unlawful physical force. The law explicitly states that a person is justified in using deadly force without a duty to retreat if they reasonably believe such force is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury.
Notably, Alabama’s self-defense statute specifies conditions under which a person may be legally presumed justified in using deadly physical force, including when someone is unlawfully and forcefully entering, or has forcefully entered, an occupied vehicle. A person who uses force as justified and permitted under this law is generally immune from criminal prosecution and civil action, unless the force is later determined to be unlawful. In such cases, a defendant can raise a claim of self-defense, and the prosecution retains the burden of proving all elements of the charged conduct beyond a reasonable doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the verdict in the case of Sabrina Andrews?
- Sabrina Andrews was found not guilty and acquitted in the 2022 Labor Day shooting death of Keondra Ra’Shun “Keke” Hollis.
- Who was Keondra Ra’Shun “Keke” Hollis?
- Keondra Ra’Shun “Keke” Hollis was a 23-year-old beloved barber in Birmingham who was fatally shot on Labor Day in 2022.
- When and where did the shooting occur?
- The shooting took place on Labor Day, September 5, 2022, at an apartment complex in the 200 block of Third Avenue Southwest in Birmingham.
- Why was Sabrina Andrews charged with capital murder?
- Sabrina Andrews was charged with capital murder because the victim, Keke Hollis, was in a vehicle when she was slain.
- What are Alabama’s “Stand Your Ground” laws?
- Alabama’s “Stand Your Ground” laws allow individuals to use force, including deadly force, without a duty to retreat, if they reasonably believe it’s necessary to defend themselves or others from an imminent threat of unlawful physical force, including within an occupied vehicle.
Key Details of the Case
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Sabrina Andrews (now 23 years old) |
| Victim | Keondra Ra’Shun “Keke” Hollis (23 years old at time of death, beloved barber) |
| Verdict | Not guilty (acquitted) |
| Incident Date | Labor Day, September 5, 2022 |
| Incident Location | University Crossing Apartment, 200 block of Third Avenue Southwest, Birmingham |
| Original Charge | Capital murder (due to victim being in a vehicle) |
| Trial Judge | Jefferson County Circuit Judge Kandice Pickett |
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Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
