From Tribune staff reports
CENTER POINT — A woman was stabbed to death in Center Point and four people were shot in Birmingham on Sunday evening in what officials from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office believe are related incidents.
“At approximately 6:26 p.m., this evening, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the 300 block of 20th Avenue NE to conduct a requested welfare check,” JCSO Lt. Joni Money said. “Upon arrival, a 40-year-old female was found deceased. She had been stabbed to death.”
Money said the suspect in the homicide is believed to have then traveled to the 800 block of 48th Street North, inside the city limits of Birmingham, and fired multiple shots into the home.
“It is thought that this location is the home of the homicide victim’s mother,” Money said.
Four people were reported to have been struck by gunfire at the Birmingham location. Their injuries are thought to be non-life-threatening.
“A person of interest is being sought at this time,” Money said. “Cortrell Burks, a 50-year-old Black male, who is 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 250 lbs.”
Money said Burks may have a shaved head and a grey beard. He was last seen driving a 2005 black Nissan Armada bearing tag number 1A0TBH8.
“If you see Burks or this vehicle, please call 911,” Money said.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s detectives and detectives from the City of Birmingham will be working together to complete a thorough investigation in these cases.
If you have any information on either of these incidents, you may call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. You may also contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office or the Birmingham Police Department.