A tragic shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, left four people dead and 17 others wounded late Saturday night, according to police. Some of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries, Officer Truman Fitzgerald of the Birmingham Police Department stated during a news conference on Sunday. The incident took place in one of the city’s busiest entertainment districts, near Magnolia Avenue in the Five Points South area.
Police believe multiple suspects opened fire on a crowd gathered outside shortly after 11 p.m. CST. Three victims—two men and one woman—were pronounced dead at the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue, found unresponsive on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. They were later identified as Anitra Holloman, 21, Tahj Booker, 27, and Carlos McCain, 27.
A fourth victim, a man, died at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, which treated 12 of the injured, including the deceased.
Authorities say the shooting was likely not random, suggesting it stemmed from a targeted altercation in which others were caught in the crossfire. One of the individuals killed is believed to have been the intended target. Four of the wounded are in critical condition.
No suspects were in custody as of Sunday evening, but Officer Fitzgerald emphasized the department's commitment to finding those responsible. Over 100 shell casings were recovered at the scene, and police suspect that the firearms used were equipped with illegal modifications, turning them into fully automatic weapons.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin expressed his sorrow, stating, "Right now, my thoughts are with the families facing an unimaginable loss, and the victims fighting for their lives in the hospital." He condemned the use of illegal "Glock switches," which convert semi-automatic guns into fully automatic weapons, calling them the city's number one public safety threat.
The Birmingham Police Department is working with federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, and has urged anyone with information to contact the homicide division or Crime Stoppers, which offers up to $5,000 for tips.
The shooting occurred in a popular nightlife area near the University of Alabama at Birmingham, which is home to several restaurants, bars, and live music venues.
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