Fatal shooting by Birmingham police in Ensley is third by city officers in 2026

A Monday afternoon incident in Ensley turned fatal after Birmingham police officers responded to 911 reports of a man brandishing a firearm. This marks the third fatal shooting involving Birmingham officers since June.

Incident in Ensley

West Precinct officers were dispatched to the 3100 block of Avenue I at 3:45 p.m. Sgt. LaQuitta Wade reported that callers described a male subject waving a gun and pulling on vehicle doors. As units moved in, authorities received updated reports that the individual was moving from house to house, allegedly firing shots toward a residence. No injuries were reported from that initial gunfire.

An officer arrived on the scene within 60 seconds of dispatch. According to Sgt. Wade, the officer encountered the suspect and issued verbal commands to drop the weapon. The man reportedly advanced toward the officer, leading to the fatal shooting. The exact number of shots fired by either the officer or the suspect remains under investigation.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities established a massive perimeter following the shooting, blocking off the exit ramp from Interstate 20/59 to Avenue I along with several side streets. A K-9 unit was deployed to assist in the search for shell casings and other evidence. While at least one home sustained damage from gunfire, officials are still working to determine how many properties were targeted.

Pattern of Recent Fatal Shootings

This event follows two other fatal incidents involving Birmingham police this year. On Aug. 13, 38-year-old Matthew Sean Massey was shot to death after an altercation in a parking deck near UAB St. Vincent’s North Tower. Police reported that an officer attempted to use a taser to detain Massey following an alleged assault on a hospital employee, but the situation escalated when the suspect attempted to gain control of the officer’s taser.

Prior to that, on June 10, 19-year-old Xavier Gray was fatally shot by Birmingham officers in Midfield. Chief Michael Pickett stated that officers engaged Gray while attempting to take him into custody, noting that the suspect appeared to point a weapon at officers upon exiting a vehicle.

"It’s very unfortunate when an officer has to take a life, and our hearts go out to the family," Wade said. "However, we’re going to continue to protect the citizens of Birmingham."