The laughter of children and the aroma of barbecue filled the air at Mickese Bostic’s home in Birmingham, Alabama, on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. The 27-year-old father of three had planned a joyous celebration for his youngest daughter’s seventh birthday, complete with a moonwalk, a waterslide, and an Easter egg hunt. Up to 50 family members and friends gathered at his residence on Lisa Lane, savoring slabs of ribs and the warmth of togetherness. Bostic, known for his big heart and tireless work ethic, also embraced two additional children from his longtime partner’s previous relationship, treating all five as his own. But by nightfall, the vibrant scene of celebration turned into a nightmare, leaving a family shattered and a community in mourning.
Bostic, a juvenile detention officer with nearly a decade of service in Jefferson County, was a man who lived for his family and his work. A graduate of Woodlawn High School, he was described by his sister, Katherine Bostic, as someone who “loved doing things big” and poured his energy into providing for his children. His aunts, Rosemary Adekpo and Brenda Frazier, remembered him as a rare and good man, always ready to go the extra mile for those he loved. On that fateful Sunday, however, a domestic dispute with his girlfriend, 30-year-old Shatice Renae Jackson, escalated into an unthinkable tragedy.
According to Birmingham police, the altercation began inside the home during the festivities. Jackson, the mother of Bostic’s three children, allegedly retrieved a gun and fired shots indoors, though no one was injured by the gunfire. The argument spilled outside, where the situation took a deadly turn. Police reports indicate that Jackson got into her SUV and deliberately drove into Bostic, pinning him against the house. The impact was catastrophic, trapping Bostic between the vehicle and the structure. Despite the chaos, with family members and children witnessing the horrific event, Bostic was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:21 p.m. The crowd, overwhelmed with grief and anger, grew so distraught that officers from all four city precincts were called to manage the situation.
Jackson was detained at the scene and later charged with capital murder, a charge elevated due to the presence of their children during the act. She is currently held without bond, with her first court appearance scheduled for April 23, 2025. The Birmingham Police Department’s investigation revealed that earlier that day, officers had responded to the same address for a separate dispute between the couple, but no arrests were made at the time. The sequence of events has left authorities and the community grappling with the senseless loss of a devoted father.
Bostic’s family is now faced with the daunting task of moving forward without him. His sister expressed the profound void left by his absence, stating, “There’s no going on without him. We’ve got to live for him and through him now.” His aunts, in their grief, condemned the cruelty of the act, with Adekpo declaring, “Only God knows your punishment.” Jefferson County officials, where Bostic served as a juvenile court officer, issued a statement acknowledging the immense difficulty of the moment for his family, friends, and colleagues, offering prayers for all affected.
The tragedy has sparked broader conversations about domestic violence and its devastating consequences. Community leaders and advocates are calling for increased support and resources to prevent such incidents, emphasizing the need for intervention before disputes escalate to violence. For now, Bostic’s loved ones are left to cherish memories of a man who was the life of the party, a dedicated provider, and a father whose love knew no bounds. As they navigate this unimaginable loss, the five children he cherished face a future without the man who called them family, forever marked by the horror of that Easter Sunday.