From the Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — Police in Birmingham are investigating after a person was shot an killed outside of the Hill Student Center at UAB on Thursday night.
Friday morning, Jefferson County Deputy Chief Coroner Bill Yates identified the victim as Destiny Danielle Washington, 20, of Trussville. Washington was a 2018 graduate of Clay-Chalkville High School. She was completing classes at Lawson State through UAB’s Joint Admission Program with dreams of becoming a nurse to help others.
At approximately 9:40 p.m., South Precinct officers were dispatched to Children’s Hospital at 1601 5th Avenue South on report of an adult gunshot victim who arrived by way of private vehicle. Children’s Hospital staff pronounced the victim deceased, according to Officer Truman Fitzgerald.
“The preliminary investigation suggests the victim was shot inside of a vehicle while in the parking lot of the Hill University Center at 1400 University Boulevard,” Fitzgerald said. “The victim was then driven to Children’s Hospital by way of private vehicle for emergency medical care. Detectives are working to discover a motive for the shooting.”
In a statement released Friday morning, UAB said the shooting is believed to have occurred during an arranged meeting to sell headphones.
“We are devastated that tragedy hit the UAB family overnight when a student lost her life after being shot in the parking lot outside the Hill Student Center,” UAB said in a statement. “Police believe this occurred during a meeting arranged to sell headphones. Because this is an ongoing investigation, and out of respect for the victim and her family, we are not sharing additional information at this time. However, we will when it is appropriate. In the meantime, please keep the victim and her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”
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The death is the 118th homicide in Birmingham of 2020. Of those homicides, 15 have been ruled justifiable and one has been ruled accidental.
If there is anyone who has additional information pertaining to the case, please contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit @ 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers @ 205-254- 7777.