BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A mass shooting erupted in Birmingham’s Five Points South neighborhood late Saturday night, leaving at least four people dead and dozens injured. The incident occurred just after 11 p.m. on the 2000 block of Magnolia Avenue South. Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald reported that multiple shooters fired into a crowd, with victims found on the sidewalk and street. The police are investigating whether the attack was a drive-by or involved shooters on foot. No arrests have been made, and authorities are seeking community assistance in identifying the perpetrators.
This tragedy underscores the ongoing violence plaguing Birmingham, a city grappling with a high crime rate significantly above the national average. Birmingham has been struggling with increasing gang activity and set a modern record with 144 homicides in 2022. The city’s violent crime rate was 1,682 per 100,000 residents in 2023, leading to its ranking as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States.
The shooting marks the second mass shooting in Birmingham this year, following a similar incident in July at a nightclub. The persistent violence has prompted calls for stronger gun safety laws, with local advocacy groups urging lawmakers to address Alabama’s lax regulations. As the investigation continues, federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, are assisting local police in their efforts to bring those responsible to justice.