A large-scale manhunt is in progress following a mass shooting in Birmingham's 5 Points South, which has resulted in four fatalities and 18 injuries.

 A large-scale manhunt is in progress following a mass shooting in Birmingham's 5 Points South, which has resulted in four fatalities and 18 injuries.

Updated: Sep. 22, 2024, 8:27 a.m. | Published: Sep. 21, 2024, 11:47 p.m.
Shooting in 5 Points South

By Carol Robinson | crobinson@al.com

A significant manhunt is underway after a mass shooting late Saturday night in Birmingham’s vibrant Five Points South area left four dead and at least 18 injured.

Authorities believe the shooting was not random, but rather an isolated incident that caught multiple innocent bystanders in the crossfire.

"We are collaborating with ATF, the FBI, and numerous law enforcement agencies to support the Birmingham Police Department," Officer Truman Fitzgerald stated. "We are committed to identifying and apprehending those responsible for this tragedy."

The shooting occurred just after 11 p.m. in the 2000 block of Magnolia Avenue South, and police plan to provide further updates on the investigation this morning.

Initial reports indicate that patrons were waiting outside Hush, a hookah and cigar lounge, when the gunfire erupted. Witnesses reported that some shots appeared to come from a weapon modified with a “switch” that converts it to fully automatic fire.

“Glock switches are the top public safety concern in our city and state,” Mayor Randall Woodfin said on social media. “These devices have no place on our streets.”

Detectives are investigating whether the shooting was a drive-by or if the assailants were on foot.

When South Precinct officers responded to reports of gunfire, they discovered two men and a woman unresponsive on the sidewalk. Birmingham Fire and Rescue pronounced all three dead at the scene, while a fourth man succumbed to his injuries at UAB Hospital.

As chaos unfolded, police established a large perimeter in the area, which was filled with people enjoying a Saturday night out. Firefighters transported eight of the injured, while others sought treatment at local hospitals.

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"We have numerous gunshot victims from this incident, and at least four are in life-threatening condition," Fitzgerald reported. Investigators believe multiple shooters fired into a crowd on Magnolia Avenue.

No arrests have been made, and Fitzgerald urged the public to share any information about the shooting with the police, emphasizing that even small details could be crucial. Local businesses were also asked to provide surveillance footage.

"This area is equipped with cameras, and we need your help," he said.

Hundreds gathered in the popular nightlife district, a place known for attracting crowds on weekends. "This was a beautiful Saturday night, and the area is known for its local businesses," Fitzgerald noted.

The recent shooting follows another homicide earlier in the week at nearby Brother Bryan Park. Fitzgerald acknowledged that the area is familiar to officers due to its high foot traffic.

Before this incident, Birmingham had recorded 118 homicides this year; the total now stands at 122, with eight deemed justifiable.

Alabama lawmakers are considering legislation to ban Glock switches like the one believed to have been used in this shooting. Rep. Phillip Ensler is sponsoring a bill that would classify possession of such switches as a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Birmingham has seen two other quadruple homicides this year, with no arrests made in either case.

“These mass shootings reflect a cultural issue rather than just criminal behavior,” Fitzgerald remarked. "As Mayor Woodfin recently stated, we’re witnessing too many disputes resolved with gunfire."

Despite a 6.25% drop in homicides in 2023—the first decline in five years—Birmingham recorded 135 homicides last year, compared to 144 in 2022. The city’s highest homicide count was 148 in 1933.

Fitzgerald thanked emergency responders and hospital staff for their efforts in treating the victims of Saturday night's violence.