From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Police Department reports detectives have received a ruling in connection to the homicide that occurred on November 22, 2021.
“Investigators presented the case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office for review,” Sergeant Rodarius Mauldin said. “Following the assessment, the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office ruled the actions justifiable.”
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Officers from the South Precinct responded to a ShotSpotter alert at 4300 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard at approximately 3:40 p.m. November 22, 2021.
“Officers arrived on scene and discovered the victim laying on the sidewalk near Bates Automotive,” Mauldin said. “The victim was wounded by gunfire.”
Gelpin was pronounced dead at the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue.
“The preliminary investigation indicates the victim, Matthew Gelpin, was involved in a physical altercation with the suspect prior to being shot,” Mauldin said. “The suspect was taken into custody.”
This investigation is reclassified as a Justified Death Investigation. Birmingham has conducted 106 murder investigations of 2021 and 14 justifiable death investigations