Birmingham Police are putting all they have into investigating two deadly shootings that left seven people dead and 10 injured Saturday.
Chief Scott Thurmond said law enforcement is “sick and tired” of gun violence. He said officials have a strategy and will no longer tolerate deadly violence.
“For those of you who are responsible for those heinous crimes, I want you to know that we will be coming for you with full force,” said Thurmond. “With every piece of law enforcement that we have, we will be coming for you.”
Thurmond said he is now focusing on restoring safety to the city and communities.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin also spoke Sunday and asked community members to come forward with any information.
“A lot of innocent people were shot and killed yesterday,” Woodfin said. “Many others were wounded. The Birmingham Police Department, as it has been stated, along with our federal partners, have one priority: They have one priority right now, and that is simply to hunt down the people who committed these heinous acts in two separate incidents.”
The first shooting on Saturday happened around 5:30 p.m. and claimed three lives. The bodies of Landon Brooks, 5, Arika Berry, 28, and Eric Ashley, Jr., 28, were found shot to death in a wrecked car near the entrance of Echo Highlands Park.
Nearly six hours later, police were called to a birthday party where 14 people were shot. Three of the victims were pronounced dead on the scene at an event center in the 3400 block of 27th Street North.
Stevie McGhee, 39, was found dead on the sidewalk outside the club. Markeisha Gettings, 42, and Angela Weatherspoon, 56, were found dead inside the club. Leradnus Anderson, 24, was later pronounced dead at UAB Hospital. Ten others were being treated at the hospital for gunshot wounds.
Investigators said they are trying to determine if an altercation inside the event center led to a person leaving the party and then shooting into the building from the street.
No one is in custody in either shooting. Federal law enforcement is assisting BPD. Thurmond said both incidents were targeted. The chief refused to answer reporter questions about the motive of either shooting and said he would rather focus on bringing justice to families.
Anyone with information or video evidence on either shooting is asked to call the Birmingham Police Department.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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