At least 4 dead, 17 injured in Birmingham mass shooting
This story has been updated to add video, photos and more information, and because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.
At least four people were killed and 17 others were injured when multiple shooters opened fire Saturday night in a Birmingham entertainment district.
Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond described the shooting as "a hit" in which a single person was targeted and multiple bystanders were caught in the crossfire. The shooting happened in the Five Points South Entertainment District, in the 2000 block of Magnolia Avenue South, about 11 p.m., police said.
Police find over 100 shell casings
Officers arriving at the address saw two men and one woman lying outside who were unresponsive. The Birmingham Fire and Rescue department declared them dead on the scene, BPD said. The University of Alabama Hospital also declared a man dead, who was a victim of the shooting, police said. Those injured range in condition from having non-life threatening to life-threatening wounds, BPD said.
Thurmond said several shooters opened fire from a vehicle, then left the vehicle and continued shooting. Over 100 shell casings were recovered, Thurmond said.
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Mayor calls for state action
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said evidence shows the weapons used may have been illegally converted to fire automatically through so-called “switches,” which are used on semi-automatic handguns. A semi-automatic fires one round with each trigger pull. An automatic weapon fires rounds as long as the trigger is pulled.
The devices are banned by federal law. Legislators have pushed to codify the ban under state law, but that effort fell short in the last state legislative session.
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Woodfin referenced the state's permitless carry law and the need for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to be better funded to enforce federal gun laws.
"We need the necessary tools," Woodfin said. "We don’t have home rule. I want to work with the state… to solve this problem.
"... You take this hand and you put it behind our back. You take this (other) hand and put it behind our back. Then you put a blindfold over our eyes and tell us we’re responsible for solving this issue."
Police ask for public's help
No arrests had been made or suspects named by 3 p.m. Sunday. The ATF and the FBI were assisting in the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call the anonymous Secret Witness line at 205-254-7777 or the Birmingham Police Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764.
Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Selma, released a statement offering condolences to the families of the victims and prayers for those who were injured.
"This senseless violence is unacceptable and it must stop," Sewell said. "We as elected officials must do all that we can, at every level of government, to break the cycle of violence, get dangerous weapons off our streets, and make our communities safer."
Victor Hagan contributed to this story. Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.