On Saturday night (September 21), a large-scale shooting incident occurred in a bustling nightlife area in Birmingham, Alabama, resulting in the deaths of 4 people and at least 18 others injured. Authorities have indicated that this could be an “assassination” event.
The shooting took place in the 2000 block of Magnolia Avenue in the Five Points South neighborhood near the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus, where 2 males and 1 female were killed. The Birmingham Police Department informed Fox News on Sunday morning via email that the fourth victim died at the university’s hospital.
Police received reports of the shooting shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday.
“Detectives believe this shooting was not random, but stemmed from an isolated incident, with multiple victims caught in the crossfire,” authorities said in an email statement to Fox.
According to reports from the Associated Press, police have referred to this as a planned “assassination” targeting one of the deceased individuals.
Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond stated that authorities believe the shooting was a targeted attack on one of the victims, possibly involving a paid murder. He mentioned that after a car arrived, “multiple gunmen” exited and began firing before fleeing the scene.
“We believe this was an ‘assassination’ targeting a specific individual,” Thurmond said.
Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham stated during a press conference on Sunday, “Our top priority is to find these gunmen and get them off our streets.”
Approximately 100 shell casings were recovered at the scene, with Thurmond noting that law enforcement is working to determine the type of weapon used, but they believe some of the gunfire was “fully automatic.” Investigators are also trying to ascertain if anyone fired back, leading to a shootout.
As of Sunday morning, with victims being transported to hospitals, police have confirmed 17 injuries, some of which are life-threatening.
Authorities have not yet determined the target of the suspected gunmen and no one has been arrested.
Officer Truman Fitzgerald told AL.com, “Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to expose, identify, and apprehend those who target our people.”
The area is popular among young people due to its proximity to the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus and a plethora of restaurants and bars, often bustling on Saturday nights.
Alicia Rohan, a 22-year-old biomedical engineering student living nearby, described hearing a sudden burst of gunfire while working on a school project, which she likened to automatic gunshots.
Rohan said, “I looked out the window and immediately saw people screaming and fleeing the scene.”
As police continue their investigation in the Five Points South neighborhood, the streets in the area have been blocked off.
Fitzgerald stated that authorities have reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) for assistance.
Officials are urging anyone with relevant information to contact law enforcement, with the possibility of receiving a reward.