From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM – The Birmingham Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation for an incident that occurred on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in which a 17-year-old died after sustaining gunshot wounds.
“Shortly after midnight, East Precinct officers were dispatched to the 100 Block of Nekoma Drive on report of a person shot,” Officer Truman Fitzgerald said. “While officers were en route, they were notified that a second party was shot in the 1600 Block of Lake Drive Northeast.”
Officers arrived at both locations and observed the following:
In the 100 Block of Nekoma Drive, officers observed an adult male suffering an apparent gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel transported the victim to UAB Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
BPD Officers, along with Jefferson County Sheriff County deputies, responded to the 1600 Block of Lake Drive Northeast where they observed the 17-year-old victim, Jaylen Andarrius Clark, along with an 18- year-old male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Center Point Fire and Rescue personnel transported Clark and the 18-year-old male to UAB Hospital, where Clark was pronounced deceased at 12:54 a.m. The 18- year-old male suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
“The preliminary investigation suggests the 18-year-old male, along with the victim, was among a party that went to Nekoma Drive and were involved in a physical altercation with a separate party,” Fitzgerald said. “Gunshots were exchanged.”
Currently, the 18-year-old male is in police custody.
RELATED STORY: 17-year-old dies after being shot in Birmingham on Sunday
BPD Homicide Detectives will present case information to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office who will review the case and determine if charges should be filed.
If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, please contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit @ 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers @ 205-254-7777.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers through the Birmingham Police Department’s Mobile App on Android or IOS devices. Updates will be provided as information comes available.
This is Birmingham’s 8th murder investigation of 2023 with 1 justifiable death investigation. The Birmingham Police Department adheres to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting guidelines set for all law enforcement agencies across the United States. FBI Uniform Crime Reporting guidelines do not require law enforcement agencies to include justifiable death investigations in the total homicide investigations counts.
**The information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**
