From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Seven people were shot and one person was killed in Birmingham in the early morning hours on Sunday, May 5, according to the Birmingham Police Department.
The man who was killed has been identified as David Westbrook, 24, of Wartrace, Tennessee.
According to police, just after 2 a.m. Sunday North and West Precinct officers were dispatched to multiple Shot Spotter alerts near the 700 and 800 blocks of 3rd Avenue West.
Policed arrived at the location and found a chaotic scene, according to media reports.
Officers observed a white sedan crashed into a utility pole and the victim inside suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue (BFR) personnel arrived on the scene and later pronounced the victim deceased.
Officers also observed an adult male lying unresponsive in the parking lot of a Shell Gas Station.
BFR transported the adult male to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
While on the scene, officers learned that two adult male gunshot victims had arrived at Princeton Hospital and two additional adult male gunshot victims had arrived at UAB Hospital by private vehicle.
Around 10:30 a.m., officers also learned that a seventh adult male gunshot victim had arrived at Princeton Hospital by private vehicle.
According to police, the preliminary investigation has revealed that at least two parties were shooting at each other when multiple victims, vehicles, and one business–Boston Fish Supreme–were struck by gunfire.
As many as over 150 rounds may have been fired during the shooting.
Operation Knight Rider officers arrived and assisted patrol officers in taking two adult male persons of interest into custody for questioning.
Both men were observed fleeing the scene and trying to toss firearms.
As of Sunday, there were no suspects in custody.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact BPD’s Homicide Unit at (205) 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777.
Tips could be eligible for cash rewards of up to $5,000 from Crime Stoppers.
According to the BPD, this is Birmingham’s 42nd murder investigation of 2024 with four justifiable death rulings.