Current:Home > reviews7 killed in 24 hours of gun violence in Birmingham, Alabama, one victim is mayor's cousin -Wealth Momentum Network
7 killed in 24 hours of gun violence in Birmingham, Alabama, one victim is mayor's cousin
View
Date:2025-04-13 15:39:03
Seven people have been killed in a deadly 24-hour string of gun violence in one Alabama city.
Birmingham, Alabama police announced the string of homicides that happened on Thursday and Friday that claimed the lives of seven people; one woman and six men. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin posted on Facebook Friday his family is one of seven mourning a loved one killed by gun violence. The mayor says his cousin was one of the victims.
"My family is no stranger to the devastating consequences of violence," Woodfin wrote. "The pain never gets easier. This level of loss is distressing, unacceptable and cannot – must not – be tolerated."
Police said in statements posted on their website no one has been arrested in any of the homicides. According to a Saturday release, police said Birmingham has had 14 murder investigations in 2024.
"But right now I’m not thinking about myself," Woodfin wrote." I’m thinking about that employee’s family who now has an empty chair at the dinner table. I’m thinking about my cousin’s mother. I’m thinking about the other four families who are facing the unimaginable right now."
Police Chief Scott Thurmond said in a Saturday statement that all victims lost their lives to gun violence and one was a city employee who ended his shift.
"Our city has been rocked to its core by today’s events," he wrote. "Our city and communities are hurting beyond belief."
Police find unresponsive man on Thursday
Police responded to a call for a decomposed body around 10:17 a.m. Thursday in the northeastern part of the city. First responders declared the man dead at the scene after finding him facedown in rubbish.
"The preliminary investigation suggests a citizen who collects items observed the victim unresponsive on the ground at an illegal dumping site and asked a resident to call 911," police wrote in the release.
The Jefferson County Coroner's Office said at the scene the man died of a gunshot wound.
Police didn't identify the man as they work to notify his next of kin.
'We want to be there':Patrick Mahomes, wife Brittany visit Super Bowl parade shooting victims
4 men killed Friday at car wash
A ShotSpotter alert around 2:45 p.m. Friday in the northern section of the city prompted police to respond to a car wash lot. ShotSpotter is a controversial gunshot detection system that notifies police when its acoustic sensors and machine algorithms detect gunfire. It has been criticized as ineffective and racially biased.
They identified the men as Cortez Ray, 32; Talton Tate, 36; Terrell Edwards, 38; and Kevin McGhee, 38. All men are Black and from Birmingham. Police located the men unresponsive on the ground with gunshot wounds. McGhee died at UAB Hospital.
"The preliminary investigation suggests the victims were at a neighborhood car wash when an unknown suspect(s) opened fire on them," police said. "We believe one or more of the victims were targeted."
Police find missing couple dead Friday
A couple last seen leaving a residence on Valentine's Day for a movie date were found dead Friday of gunshot wounds in the western part of the city.
Police identified the couple as Angeliyah Webster, a 20-year-old woman, and Christan Norris, a 20-year-old man, both of Birmingham. They were reported missing on Thursday.
The couple was found inside their white Ford Taurus with fatal gunshot wounds.
Police are offering a $5,000 cash reward for tips regarding the Friday homicides, separately.
Woodfin pleaded for people who have information to urgently call Birmingham's CrimeStoppers at 205-254-7777.
"Justice cannot be achieved in the dark," Woodfin wrote. "The families of these victims deserve answers and the cowards who have such a reckless disregard for life must pay for their actions."
Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at knurse@USATODAY.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @KrystalRNurse.
veryGood! (13)
Related
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Lindsay Hubbard is pregnant! 'Summer House' star expecting after Carl Radke split
- It’s a fine line as the summer rainy season brings relief, and flooding, to the southwestern US
- Fireworks can scare dogs. Vets explain why and how to calm your pet's anxiety.
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Arkansas election officials checking signatures of 3 measures vying for November ballot
- FBI investigates after 176 gravestones at Jewish cemeteries found vandalized in Ohio
- New UK prime minister Keir Starmer vows to heal wounds of distrust after Labour landslide
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Biden heads into a make-or-break stretch for his imperiled presidential campaign
Ranking
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- FBI investigates after 176 gravestones at Jewish cemeteries found vandalized in Ohio
- New UK prime minister Keir Starmer vows to heal wounds of distrust after Labour landslide
- Summer House's Lindsay Hubbard Pregnant, Expecting First Baby
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- 1 dead, 3 injured after severe thunderstorm tears through state park in Kansas
- Beryl livestreams: Watch webcams as storm approaches Texas coast
- New panel charged with helping Massachusetts meet its renewable energy goals
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
The Freedman's Savings Bank's fall is still taking a toll a century and a half later
Summer House's Paige DeSorbo Reacts to Her Manifestation of Lindsay Hubbard's Pregnancy
1 dead, 3 injured after severe thunderstorm tears through state park in Kansas
Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
What's open and closed on July 4th? Details on stores, restaurants, Walmart, Costco, Target, more
See Brittany and Patrick Mahomes Ace Wimbledon Style
I watch TV for a living. Why can’t I stop stressing about my kid’s screen time?