A mass shooting in Birmingham’s Five Points South neighborhood late Saturday night resulted in at least four deaths and 17 injuries. The incident occurred on Magnolia Avenue South at approximately 11 p.m., prompting a swift response from the Birmingham Police.
According to Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald, individuals in a vehicle opened fire with an automatic weapon on a target before fleeing the scene. Police recovered over 100 shell casings and other evidence from the area, where bystanders were inadvertently caught in the gunfire.
Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond expressed condolences to the victims and their families, emphasizing the tragic impact on 21 individuals whose lives have been irrevocably altered. He indicated that the shooting was not random and might be linked to an alleged murder-for-hire plot involving one of the deceased, who was targeted during the incident.
Authorities have not yet made any arrests but are urging local businesses and witnesses to come forward with information. The Chief characterized the community as vital to the investigation, calling on residents to report what they know to assist law enforcement in keeping Birmingham safe.
Among the deceased, two men and a woman were found at the scene, while a fourth man died after being transported to a hospital. The extent of injuries among other victims varies, ranging from critical to non-life threatening.
There is speculation that a device known as a “switch,” which alters semi-automatic firearms into fully-automatic weapons, may have been utilized in the shooting. Initial reports incorrectly suggested that the incident occurred inside a nightclub, but police clarified that all victims were outdoors.
Birmingham’s homicide count for 2024 has now reached 122, marking the third instance this year of a quadruple homicide. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin emphasized the need for collective action to address the larger issue of gun violence, which he described as an epidemic affecting the entire nation.
The Birmingham Police Department is collaborating with federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in their investigative efforts. Authorities are encouraging local businesses with surveillance cameras to share any relevant footage of the shooting, and witnesses are invited to provide tips via Crimestoppers.