From the Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — Homicides in Birmingham hit a 25 year high in 2020 with 122 reported cases. That is the highest annual number since 121 homicides in 1995 despite a steady decline in population over the last quarter-century, according to Carol Robinson.
Of the 2020 cases, 15 were ruled justifiable and one was ruled accidental, according to the Birmingham Police Department. In all, the Magic City averaged 2.3 homicides per week for the year.
But Birmingham is setting an even more torrid pace in 2021 as police announce the third homicide investigation in three days since the new year began.
“At approximately 8:45 pm, West Precinct officers were dispatched to 2108 Warrior Road on report of a person down,” BPD Officer Truman Fitzgerald said in a statement late Sunday night. “Several citizens began calling the Birmingham 911 Communications Division reporting gunshots they heard in the area.”
Truman said when officers arrived on the scene, they located a victim lying unresponsive in the parking lot of an apartment complex suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced the victim deceased.
“Details are limited in this investigation,” Fitzgerald said.
On Jan. 1, Carl Misenrendino III was found dead in the 4000 block of 40th Avenue North. The 35-year-old financial advisor had recently moved to Birmingham from Atlanta.
On Jan. 2, city workers found a homicide victim at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham. That victim has not been identified.
No arrests have been made in the three 2021 cases.
If there is anyone who has additional information pertaining to the cases, please contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit @ 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers @ 205-254- 7777.
