Downtown Birmingham shootout leaves 1 dead; multiple guns used, more than 50 rounds fired

A man was killed in a massive shootout in a downtown Birmingham intersection where multiple guns were used and at least 50 rounds fired.

The shooting happened about 2:15 p.m. Thursday at 25th Street and Seventh Avenue North. That intersection is in the middle of an area including Park Place Apartments, Marconi Park, and the Jones Valley Teaching Farm.

North Precinct officers responded to a call of a person shot. When they arrived, they found a grey Chrysler 300 that had crashed into a tree and a utility pole.

The victim was located about 15 yards away in a grassy are outside of an apartment building. He was rushed to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald said investigators believe a shootout happened at the intersection. The victim, he said, was targeted.

Birmingham Homicide July 4, 2024 — Birmingham police investigate a July 4, 2024, homicide on Seventh Avenue North at 25th Street.(Carol Robinson)

Crime scene investigators placed more than 50 evidence marks along Seventh Avenue North. Evidence markers don’t necessarily indicate just one shell casing – a marker can be used to mark multiple shell casings in one spot.

“We have at least 50 shell casings near where kids play, families gather all the time,’’ Fitzgerald said. “Anytime you have this many rounds being fired, we are extremely lucky no one else was hit.”

Police almost immediately began following at least one lead.

“How we have our lead is pure police work,’’ Fitzgerald said. “We have officers that know their beats, and the officer some of the parties involved, including the victim.”

A woman who posted a Facebook Live video of the aftermath reported seeing at least one of the shooters - wearing a ski mask - hanging out a window firing the gun. It appears the victim was able to return fire before he collapsed.

A gun was found near the victim.

Still, the investigation is in its early stages and detectives need anyone with information to come forward.

The deadly shooting is Birmingham fourth in five days. It is the 79th so far this year.

“We as a community we have to start making a change in how we live our daily lives,’’ Fitzgerald said.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.