Birmingham Mass Shooting: Record Crime Stoppers Reward Spurs Surge in Tips

A record-high reward is driving a surge of tips in the investigation of the deadly mass shooting in Birmingham’s Five Points South. The $100,000 reward, announced on Monday, has already generated nearly 50 tips to Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama.

Community Response to the Crime

“We haven’t seen this level of response since the Carlee Russell case when tips were coming in every three minutes,” said Bob Copus, Executive Director of Crime Stoppers. “The community is showing that they’ve had enough of this violence.”

The shooting happened outside Hush Lounge on Saturday night when a gunman fired fully automatic gunfire into a crowd. Four people were killed: Carlos De’Juan McCain, 27, Roderick Lynn Patterson Jr., 26, Tahj Booker, 27, and Anitra Holloman, a 21-year-old mother.

Seventeen others were injured, with four suffering life-threatening wounds.

Investigation Updates

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond stated the investigation is exploring the theory that the attack was a targeted “hit” on at least one of the victims. While the police have not disclosed the intended target, some of the victims were involved in past Birmingham killings.

“There could be multiple motives, and others may have also been targeted,” Thurmond said. “Some of those killed had extensive criminal histories, creating motivations for others to pay to have them killed.”

Over 100 shots were fired around 11 p.m. on Magnolia Avenue. The FBI and ATF are helping with the investigation, but no arrests have been made yet.

Chief Thurmond expressed confidence in solving the case, saying, “We’re going to hunt you down and arrest you – 100 percent.”

Reward Details and Tips

On Monday, the FBI and Crime Stoppers announced the reward, with each agency contributing up to $50,000. Crime Stoppers' reward, the largest in its history, is for information that identifies the suspects.

“This is a life-changing reward, and tips can be made anonymously,” said Frank Barefield of Crime Stoppers.

The FBI’s reward applies to information that leads to both an arrest and a conviction. “The goal is to remove violent individuals from our communities,” said Carlton Peeples, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Birmingham Field Office.

The tips coming in are detailed, according to Copus. “We’re not just getting names; we’re receiving intel about conflicts between individuals,” he said.

All information is forwarded directly to Birmingham homicide detectives, who are also receiving their own leads. “Hopefully, something in these tips will help us stop this cycle of violence,” Copus added.

Contact Information

Anyone with information can contact Birmingham police, Crime Stoppers, or the FBI.