braking news What we know about the Birmingham

On a Saturday night in Birmingham, Alabama, a targeted shooting in the entertainment district of Five Points South resulted in a tragic mass casualty incident. The attack left four individuals dead, including Anitra Holloman, Tahj Booker, Carlos McCain, and an unidentified male, with seventeen others injured, four critically. The incident is believed to have been a hit on a specific individual, with the remaining victims caught in the crossfire. Police Chief Scott Thurmond stated that the shooters were carrying out a targeted attack, and Mayor Randall Woodfin emphasized the city's commitment to apprehending the perpetrators.

The Birmingham Police Department, in collaboration with the FBI and other agencies, is actively seeking information from the public. Over 100 shell casings were recovered from the scene, indicating the intensity of the gunfire. Witnesses described the aftermath as resembling a "horror movie," with bodies strewn across the sidewalk and people fleeing in panic.

Mayor Woodfin has also highlighted the issue of gun violence in Birmingham, calling it an "epidemic" and advocating for stricter legislation to combat the problem. Despite a national trend of decreasing crime rates, Birmingham has seen a 41.7% increase in murders in the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The mayor has expressed his support for the victims' families and has vowed to seek justice for their loss.

Additionally, the shooters are believed to have used illegal gun conversion devices, known as "Glock switches," which can convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons in under a minute. These devices are considered illegal machine guns by the federal government. The US Attorney's office in Birmingham has taken action against the proliferation of these switches, and Mayor Woodfin has called for a ban on their possession.

In response to the shooting, authorities have established a QR code for the public to share information. The mayor has expressed his hope that the perpetrators will be held accountable for their actions, and the city stands in solidarity with the victims and their families during this difficult time.