In east Birmingham, a tragic event unfolded on Saturday night, marking the city’s second fatal shooting of the day. Around 11:15 p.m., the Birmingham police were alerted to gunfire on the 8200 block of Vassar Avenue. They rushed to the scene after receiving reports that someone had been shot.
Upon arrival, officers from the East Precinct discovered a man’s lifeless body on the street. The scene was grim, with around a dozen shell casings scattered on the ground. Officer Truman Fitzgerald shared that the victim was male, but his age and identity remained unknown.
Fitzgerald mentioned, “The investigation is still in its early stages. We received calls from the community about the gunfire, yet details about the victim are scarce.” He expressed gratitude towards the community for their vigilance in reporting the incident.
This incident is the seventh homicide in just nine days. Fitzgerald reiterated the message from Chief Scott Thurmond, urging the community to “stop and think.” He highlighted the concerning trend of minor disputes escalating into violent conflicts resulting in loss of life.
“This marks our second homicide today and occurs during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend,” Fitzgerald noted. “For two families, this weekend will forever be a painful reminder of their loss.”
This year, Birmingham has witnessed 26 homicides, with three considered justifiable and not classified as criminal. Including the incidents in Birmingham, Jefferson County has seen a total of 33 homicides.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and contact the homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.