Four dead, 17 others shot in mass shooting in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — At least four people were killed and 17 others shot in a mass shooting in Birmingham on Saturday evening.

The people killed in the mass shooting have been identified as 21-year-old Anitra Holloman of Bessemer, 27-year-old Tahj Booker of Birmingham and 27-year-old Carlos McCain, also of Birmingham. All three were found dead on the sidewalk where the shooting occurred. The fourth victim, an adult male, later died at the hospital. His identification is pending.

In a Birmingham City press conference on Sunday, Police Chief Scott Thurmond said the shooting occurred outside Hush, a cigar and hookah lounge in the city.

Investigators say calls about the shooting began coming into 911 around 11 p.m. Saturday from the Five Points South neighborhood in the 2000 block of Magnolia Avenue South. This part of Birmingham is known for its entertainment venues, restaurants and bars and is often crowded on Saturday nights.

When officers arrived, they found three people dead at the scene, two men and a woman. A fourth victim later died in hospital.

Investigators confirm that another 17 people were shot, some of them with life-threatening injuries. Many of the victims were already in the area when officers arrived, others were taken to nearby hospitals in private vehicles. Investigators say at least 100 shots were fired.

Investigators say initial information points to multiple shooters. They believe the shooters fired multiple shots at a group of people outside on the sidewalk or in the street. There is no indication that any of the shootings occurred inside a store. It is unclear if the shooters arrived on foot or if this was a drive-by shooting, but it is believed to be a targeted maneuver following an earlier incident.

Birmingham police have asked the FBI and ATF for assistance in the investigation and are also asking the public to come forward if they have any information about those responsible for the shooting.

“There is no greater resource than the public,” said Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald. “We will do everything we can to make sure that we track down, identify and bring to justice whoever is responsible for the attacks on our people this morning.” Fitzgerald continued, “These mass shootings have more to do with culture than crime.”

Dajon Singleton was driving into the area when he saw the rescue efforts following the mass shooting. While he didn't see when shots were fired, he saw the chaos that followed shortly afterward.

“I probably saw five or six being carried out on a stretcher. I'm sure there were probably more. Very devastating and sad,” Singleton said.

He remembered the large crowd of people in the area. Some were running, others were screaming.

“The cry of a mourner, as if I knew someone was hurt or had died. That kind of cry. I knew immediately that someone had lost a loved one.”

He often comes to the Five Points South area on weekends. He said he has never seen anything like this here, but one can never be too cautious.

“Things just happen. You just have to keep a clear head and pay attention to your surroundings.”

Investigators are trying to determine whether a “switch” was used in the shooting. A switch can be used to convert a gun into an automatic weapon. Randall Woodfin, the mayor of Birmingham, expressed fears Sunday morning that a switch was used.

“We really need the help of state legislators,” Woodfin wrote on Facebook. “Ban Glock switches.”

Woodfin also spoke about the emotional impact of Saturday night's shooting.

“I also want to acknowledge the magnitude and gravity of this,” Woodfin said of the victims and their families whose lives have been changed forever.

“There are no words for this loss,” he adds.

Fitzgerald says there are many cameras installed in the area where the shooting occurred. They are asking all surrounding businesses to contribute surveillance video of the shooting.

Birmingham Police continue to investigate this incident.