Nationally syndicated radio host Larry Elder weighed in on the case of a man accused of murdering at least 18 people in Birmingham between 2023 and 2024.

Damien McDaniel, a black man, is the suspect in multiple shootings, including the shooting death of a Birmingham firefighter and two high-profile mass shootings, one at the Trendsetters Lounge in July 2024 and the other at Hush Lounge in September of the same year.

Elder took to social media to ask a rhetorical question about the suspect's race.

"Suppose a Birmingham, Alabama white man is CURRENTLY awaiting on trial for, over a period of less than two years—allegedly murdering 18 people, almost all of whom appear to be black," Elder wrote. "If convicted, he becomes the most prolific serial killer in the history of Alabama. RHETORICAL QUESTION: Would such a news story generate massive local, national AND international coverage—whether or not evidence suggests race played a role?"

"[Well], this story IS true," he added. "EXCEPT the suspected killer, Damien McDaniel, is BLACK. Ever heard of him? The media are FASCINATED by white serial killers. Black one serial killers? Not so much."

Elder went on to say that because the story doesn't fit the media's narrative, it has not gained national, wall-to-wall coverage the way it would if the suspect were a white man.

McDaniel is considered innocent until proven guilty.

The cases against him are being heard before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Shanta Owens. Due to the complexity of the crimes, a trial has not been set. There is a status call scheduled for the cases in April 2026.

McDaniel was previously convicted on two counts of attempted murder but was given a 15-year split sentence and three years of probation, signed by Jefferson County Judge David Carpenter.

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