Community rallies behind family of beloved coach, father of 4 shot to death at Birmingham barber shop
Jorge Fonseca was fatally shot during an argument while his wife and children were present.
Mason Reed 
The Birmingham community is coming together to support a grieving family following a heartbreaking tragedy this past weekend. Jorge Fonseca, a 34-year-old husband, father of four, and well-known youth baseball coach, was killed in a shooting outside La Vida Barberia Spa Y Estilismo on West Valley Avenue.
Tragedy in Birmingham
The fatal incident occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the local strip mall. According to Birmingham Police Sgt. LaQuitta Wade, emergency responders arrived to find Fonseca shot on the sidewalk. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe Fonseca and the suspect, 36-year-old Magdaleno Mendoza, were acquainted. For reasons that remain under investigation, a physical altercation broke out between the two men outside the barber shop. During the struggle, Mendoza allegedly pulled a gun and fired, fatally striking Fonseca. Police noted that both men were customers at the business when the dispute occurred. Mendoza has since been charged with provocation manslaughter and was taken into custody within 15 minutes of the shooting.
Community Rallies for the Fonseca Family
The impact of this loss is especially devastating as Fonseca’s wife, Brenda, and their four children—all under the age of 12—were present at the barber shop when the shooting took place. Organizers of a GoFundMe campaign have highlighted the urgent need for support, noting that Fonseca was the primary provider for his family.
"Jorge was not only a loving husband and father, but also the main provider for their family and a very loved baseball coach in the community," the fundraiser states. "Brenda, a devoted stay-at-home mom, is now left to care for her children and navigate life without her partner and their source of financial stability."
The community has responded with compassion, already donating more than $11,000 to help cover funeral costs, groceries, and essential household bills. Those looking to assist the family during this incredibly difficult time can find the donation page here.
