From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.–In the wake of Saturday’s mass shooting in Five Points South that left four people dead and at least 17 injured, a total of $100,000 is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and a conviction of the perpetrators.
The FBI, which is assisting the Birmingham Police Department and the ATF in the ongoing investigation, is offering a reward of up to $50,000.
Crime Stoppers is matching the reward for information and the City of Birmingham is offering witness protection.
As of Monday afternoon, there is still no one in custody.
According to BPD Officer Truman Fitzgerald, officers were alerted to a report of multiple people shot in the 2000 block of Magnolia Avenue just after 11 p.m.
The shooting occurred outside Hush, a popular hookah and cigar lounge in the heart of Five Points South, killing and injuring people waiting along the sidewalk.
According to the FBI, over 100 rounds were fired into the crowded entertainment district.
Investigators also believe that multiple shooters fired into the group of people.
Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurman said one of the dead individuals was reportedly targeted.
“We believe the individual that was targeted is among the deceased,” Thurman said.
“We believe that there was a hit, if you will, on that particular person As far as, you know, someone was willing to pay money to have that person killed. We just have that information from some information we have learn in the last few hours of the investigation.”
Fitzgerald said when officers arrived at the scene they found two adult males and one adult female unresponsive on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue pronounced the three victims dead at the scene.
They have since been identified as Anitra Holloman, 21, of Bessemer, Tahj Booker, 27, of Birmingham, and Carlos McCain, 27, of Birmingham.
A fourth victim, who was identified as 26-year-old Roderick Lynn Patterson Jr. of Birmingham, was also pronounced dead at UAB Hospital that night.
“From speaking with our officers and speaking with our detectives, we have dozens of gunshot victims from the area,” Fitzgerald said, adding that victims had been arriving at various hospitals throughout the city.
Four people are currently suffering from life-threatening injuries.
During the Sunday morning press conference, Thurman said the investigation showed the gunmen exiting a vehicle, engaging in the shooting, then returning to the vehicle, which sped off.
Fitzgerald also confirmed that investigators were looking into the possibility that “switches” were used, referencing Glock switches which can cause a semi-automatic weapon fire more like an automatic weapon.
Statements from Thurman and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin at the later press conference seemed to confirm the use of Glock switches.
Woodfin cited the lack of home rule as a factor in Birmingham’s violent crime problem. He has pushed for a state law penalizing the possession Glock switches, which are already a violation of federal law.
Legislation offered by Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, in the last session would have provided the state level protection, but the bill didn’t progress. Ensler has vowed to resubmit the bill in the upcoming session.
Anyone with information on the case can contact BPD’s Homicide Unit at (205) 254-1764, the FBI’s tip line at 1 (800) 225-5324, or Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777 to remain anonymous.
This is breaking news and the story will be updated as more information becomes available.