Community Leaders Call for Action After Street Racing Incident in Africatown, Alabama

The historic community of Africatown is facing growing frustration after a street racing event early Sunday led to six people being shot. The illegal racing occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Paper Mill Road at McKinley Street, a major entrance to Africatown. This area has recently received significant public attention due to its history and the millions of dollars invested to highlight its founding by survivors of the Clotilda slave ship after the Civil War.

Despite the severity of the incident, Mobile police stated that before Sunday, they were unaware that street racing was an issue on Paper Mill Road, which runs through the eastern side of Africatown, near heavy industrial plants along the Mobile River.

“We have to do something to stop this illegal racing,” said Mobile City Councilman William Carroll during a meeting on Tuesday.

Rev. Christopher Williams, a longtime pastor in the community, expressed that street racing has been a persistent problem along Paper Mill Road and that the community's concerns have been ignored. Williams, of Yorktown Missionary Baptist Church, mentioned that the community had been trying for years to address the racing issue.

“We contacted everyone we could think of and even offered suggestions,” Williams said. “We were told there were cameras in place, but we found out there aren’t any. We are at our wit’s end on who to speak to and what to do.”

Carroll recommended that Williams and Rev. Lamar Brady of First Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church meet with city officials to discuss the issue further.

Williams added, “It used to happen almost every weekend. You can still see the tire marks. It’s like a regular racetrack.”

Blake Brown, a spokesperson for the Mobile Police Department, stated that Interim Police Chief William “Randy” Jackson plans to meet with Carroll and other city leaders to find ways to stop street racing in the area. One immediate measure could involve increased police patrols.

Carroll noted that street racing was once an issue on the nearby Interstate I-65 but was dealt with by the police years ago.

“If people living or working in the area see large groups gathering and blocking the roads for racing, we need them to call us so we can respond properly,” Brown said.

Brown also mentioned that the police only became aware of the street racing issue after the shooting incident. The victims, aged 15 to 25, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but their conditions as of Wednesday were not disclosed.

“Any time someone is hurt or shot, it’s a terrible thing,” Williams said. “We don’t want anyone to get hurt just because they gather to race. But when it’s illegal, the community, city, and police should take notice.”

Brown emphasized, “Street racing is illegal and dangerous. We want to make sure it doesn’t become a bigger issue for those living or traveling on Paper Mill Road.”

As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the Sunday shooting. Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 251-208-7211. Anonymous tips can be submitted by texting 844-251-0644 or visiting mobilepd.org/crimetip.