Authorities in Birmingham, Alabama, are offering up to $100,000 in rewards for information to identify multiple suspects involved in a targeted shooting that killed four and injured 17 others. The incident occurred in the Five Points South entertainment district late Saturday night.
Responding to reports of gunfire after 11 p.m., Birmingham police found three people dead on the scene. A fourth victim died at a hospital. The deceased were identified as Anitra Holloman, 21; Tahj Booker, 27; Carlos McCain, 27; and Roderick Lynn Patterson Jr., 26.
Tahj Booker was at the scene attending an alumni celebration with his cousin, according to his aunt, Sheila Everson. Booker, described as a loving and helpful person who worked for a local construction company, was not the type to frequent nightclubs, Everson said.
Seventeen other people were injured in the shooting, four of whom are in critical condition. Twelve victims have been released from the hospital, while five remain under care.
Investigation and reward
With no suspects in custody, the Birmingham Police Department is working with the FBI and other agencies to investigate. More than 50 tips have been received so far. The authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage to aid in their investigation.
Police believe the attack was a targeted hit on one individual, with other victims caught in the crossfire. Investigators are still working to determine the intended target, though it has not been confirmed if that person was among the deceased. More than 100 shell casings were recovered from the scene, according to Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond.
Eyewitness accounts
Gabriel Eslami, 24, was standing in line outside a nearby hookah bar when the shooting began. Eslami recounted hearing gunshots and running for his life before being struck in the leg. Describing the aftermath as a “horror movie,” Eslami saw bodies scattered across the sidewalk and people hiding under cars.
Birmingham’s gun violence epidemic
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin described the city’s gun violence as reaching “epidemic levels” and called for stricter laws to address the issue. FBI data shows that while national murder rates have decreased by over 26% in early 2024, Birmingham saw a 41.7% rise in homicides compared to the same period in 2023.
Illegal gun conversion devices, which can turn semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic ones, are believed to have been used in this shooting. These devices, known as “switches,” are federally illegal, though Alabama lacks state legislation specifically banning them. Mayor Woodfin urged lawmakers to pass stricter state laws to help law enforcement tackle the problem.
Mayor Woodfin emphasized that the community must not harbor those responsible for this and other violent acts, urging residents to come forward with any information. Authorities have set up a QR code for anonymous tips related to the case. Woodfin also expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, assuring them that the city is committed to bringing justice for their loss.