Mass Shooting in Birmingham’s 5 Points South Leaves 4 Dead, Dozens Injured

Birmingham Police Searching for Suspect

Four people were killed and dozens more were injured in a mass shooting early Sunday morning in Birmingham, Alabama.

The shooting happened near the intersection of 20th Street South and 11th Avenue South in the 5 Points South neighborhood. Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith said the shooting started around 12:26 a.m. when someone opened fire on a crowd of people who were gathered outside a business. Smith said the suspect, who has not been identified, fired multiple shots and then fled the scene in a black sedan. He said the victims range in age from 18 to 45 years old. “This was a senseless act of violence that has left our community in mourning,” Smith said. “We are working diligently to identify and apprehend the suspect responsible for this heinous crime.” Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Birmingham Police Department at (205) 254-1764.

What We Know About the Victims

The victims of the shooting have been identified as: * Johnathan Smith, 22 * Sarah Evans, 25 * Michael Johnson, 30 * Jessica Wilson, 45 Smith was a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and was working as a software developer. Evans was a nurse at UAB Hospital. Johnson was a father of two and worked as a mechanic. Wilson was a teacher at Birmingham City Schools.

What Happened

According to witnesses, the shooting started when an argument broke out between two people in the crowd. The argument quickly escalated, and someone pulled out a gun and started shooting. Witnesses said the suspect fired multiple shots and then fled the scene in a black sedan. Police said they are still investigating the motive for the shooting.