A shootout on Birmingham’s busy First Avenue North in front of East Lake Park left one person dead and two others seriously injured.
The gunfire erupted about 7:40 p.m. Saturday in the 8200 block of First Avenue North, just off Interstate 59.
East Precinct officers started receiving multiple Shot Spotter alerts about that time, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald.
Shot Spotter alone registered more than 50 rounds fired.
Police arrived on the scene to find four vehicles wrecked along First Avenue North. Two of those vehicles were empty, and third was found near the Shell gas station.
The fourth vehicle had crashed through the fence of the park, coming to a rest about 20 feet inside the park.
Inside were three gunshot victims – two men and a woman.
One of the men was pronounced dead on the scene. The other two victims were rushed to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
“We believe a shootout happened on the roadway involving at least three vehicles,’’ Fitzgerald said. “We even suspect the victims may have been involved in the shootout based on the evidence we observed.”
The vehicle found at the nearby gas station was believed to have wrecked trying to escape the chaos, and investigators don’t believe those in that vehicle had anything to do with the shooting.
The occupants of that vehicle were not injured.
Police have shut down First Avenue North between 80th Street and 83rd Street.
“We have a large scene,’’ Fitzgerald said. “It may take hours.”
Fitzgerald said police believe multiple guns were fired.
“Anyone that knows the 8200 block of First Avenue North can tell you how big of a thoroughfare this is,’’ he said. “We’re extremely fortunate that no innocent bystanders were struck by gunfire.”
“We think these three cars were involved in something they shouldn’t have been,’’ Fitzgerald said. “There’s no other way to put that.”
“That’s the message we’ve been trying to tell the public. Often, when we investigate violent crimes, we’re seeing many of the people injured are active participants in these crimes.”
The slain man is Birmingham’s 68th homicide this year. Of those, seven have been ruled justified and therefore aren’t deemed criminal.
In all of Jefferson County, there have been 91 homicides, including the 68 in Birmingham.
Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
