Birmingham Mass Shooting Kills 4, Injures 17: Latest Updates on the Investigation

Local and federal authorities are investigating a deadly mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, that claimed the lives of four people and left at least 17 others injured on Saturday night. The shooting occurred around 11 p.m. near the 2000 block of Magnolia Avenue South, outside a popular hookah and cigar lounge called Hush.

According to Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond, the attack might have been a targeted murder-for-hire, as over 100 shell casings were found at the scene.

Key Updates About the Shooting:

How Can You Help?
Police and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin are asking anyone with information to come forward. Nearby businesses are also encouraged to provide any surveillance footage they may have. Tips can be submitted directly to the police, or you can call investigators at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

Who Were the Victims?
As of Sunday morning, the names of those killed have not been released. However, 24-year-old Gabriel Eslami of Trussville was among the injured. Describing the scene, he said, "It was just gun smoke and bodies lying on the pavement. By the grace of God, it didn’t hit anything major.”

How Did the Shooting Happen?
Chief Thurmond reported that multiple shooters arrived in a car, opened fire, and quickly drove away. The attack seemed to target a specific person, believed to have been present at the scene. Thurmond stated, "Wherever that targeted person was, is where it was going to happen."

Who Are the Suspects?
As of now, no suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified.

Was Hush Lounge Involved?
Ryan Pryor, owner of Hush Lounge and a retired Birmingham police officer, emphasized that the incident was unrelated to the lounge itself. "This had nothing to do with Hush. My heart goes out to the families. We need to stop this gun violence," Pryor said. Despite the tragic event, Pryor is working to reopen the business, hoping to restore some sense of normalcy.

Hush Lounge is a speakeasy-style venue located in Pickwick Place, known for its bottle service, parties, and DJs. The club recently celebrated its fifth anniversary.

What Are City Officials Saying?
Mayor Woodfin has called on state officials to regulate devices that convert semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic ones. He shared his concerns on Facebook, saying, “Turning a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic weapon that fires all bullets in seconds has no place on our streets. Too many families are now facing an unfair reality without their loved ones."

Birmingham's Homicide Rates in 2024
With this latest shooting, Birmingham has seen 122 homicides so far in 2024. Last year, the city's homicide total dropped by 6.25%, marking the first reduction in five years after consistent increases. In 2023, Birmingham had 135 homicides, down from 144 in 2022. However, 2022 remains one of the deadliest years in the city's history, with 148 homicides recorded in 1933.

Local authorities continue their investigation and are hopeful that new leads will emerge soon. More updates will be provided as the case develops.