Birmingham police believe someone was 'paid to kill a targeted victim' in mass shooting that left four dead and 17 injured

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WBRC) – Birmingham police say four people are dead following a mass shooting in Five Points South Saturday night.

Shortly after 11 p.m., Birmingham Police received a call about a shooting in the 2000 block of Magnolia Avenue.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found two men and a woman lying unconscious on the sidewalk. Police say the victims died at the scene.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald says a fourth victim was pronounced dead at UAB Hospital.

The Birmingham Fire Department reports that eight victims were taken to the hospital. According to BPD, four of them have life-threatening injuries. Dozens of victims were taken to various hospitals across the city.

According to police, there are a total of 21 gunshot victims, including the four dead. The other 17 victims suffered injuries ranging from life-threatening to non-life-threatening.

Police believe several suspects arrived at the scene in a vehicle. The suspects exited the vehicle and fired several shots at a group of people on Magnolia Avenue before getting back in and fleeing the scene.

Investigators believe the shooting was not accidental, but rather an isolated incident in which several victims were caught in the crossfire.

In a new conference on Sunday morning, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond said he believes someone was paid to kill the targeted victim and that they believe that victim is among the dead.

Police confirmed that the weapons used were fully automatic weapons. Over 100 cartridge cases were found at the crime scene.

“This is unfortunately not the first time in 2024 that we will see these types of weapons on our streets, as many bullets on the ground as possible, possibly a joint operation, etc.,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.

They are also trying to find out who the target of the shooting was.

“I'm telling you, we all as a community owe it to the victims to do everything in our power to get these shooters off our streets,” Mayor Woodfin said.

According to authorities, no one is currently in custody.

Watch live video from the scene of the accident

Birmingham Police held a press conference at 9 a.m. to provide the latest information. WBRC broadcast the press conference on television, Facebook and YouTube.

Watch the BPD press conference live

Police Chief Thurmond and Mayor Woodfin urged the public to come forward with any information that could lead to an arrest.

If you have any information about the case, you are asked to call the Birmingham Police Department Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

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