Downtown Birmingham Shootout Leaves One Dead; Over 50 Rounds Fired from Multiple Guns

A man was killed in a massive shootout in downtown Birmingham on Thursday, where multiple guns were used and at least 50 rounds were fired.

The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. at the intersection of 25th Street and Seventh Avenue North, near Park Place Apartments, Marconi Park, and the Jones Valley Teaching Farm.

North Precinct officers responded to a report of a shooting and discovered a grey Chrysler 300 that had crashed into a tree and a utility pole. The victim was found approximately 15 yards away in a grassy area outside an apartment building. He was rushed to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald said investigators believe the shootout occurred at the intersection and that the victim was specifically targeted.

Crime scene investigators placed more than 50 evidence markers along Seventh Avenue North. Each marker can indicate multiple shell casings.

“We have at least 50 shell casings near where kids play, families gather all the time,’’ Fitzgerald said. “Anytime you have this many rounds being fired, we are extremely lucky no one else was hit.”

Police quickly began following leads.

“How we have our lead is pure police work,’’ Fitzgerald said. “We have officers that know their beats, and the officer knows some of the parties involved, including the victim.”

A woman who posted a Facebook Live video of the aftermath reported seeing at least one of the shooters—wearing a ski mask—hanging out a window and firing a gun. It appears the victim was able to return fire before collapsing. A gun was found near the victim.

The investigation is still in its early stages, and detectives are seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed the incident.

This deadly shooting is Birmingham's fourth in five days and the 79th so far this year.

“We as a community have to start making a change in how we live our daily lives,’’ Fitzgerald said.