A horrific mass shooting on Saturday night in Birmingham, Alabama, left four people dead and 17 others wounded when multiple shooters opened fire in what police have described as a targeted “hit.” The violence occurred at a well-known nightlife hotspot, sending shockwaves through the city and renewing calls for action to address rampant gun violence.
Targeted Attack in Birmingham Nightlife District
Shortly after 11 p.m., in the bustling Five Points South district—home to popular restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues—gunmen opened fire, creating chaos as patrons scrambled for safety. The district, known for drawing large weekend crowds, became the scene of yet another deadly incident in a city that has witnessed a troubling rise in mass shootings this year.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin spoke at a press conference on Sunday, emphasizing the urgent need to bring the shooters to justice. “The priority is to find these shooters and get them off our streets,” Woodfin declared. The mayor also highlighted the broader issue of gun violence, which has plagued the city and left residents feeling unsafe.
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The shooting took place outside the Hush hookah and cigar lounge, a popular venue in the heart of the entertainment district. Bloodstains still marred the sidewalk on Sunday morning, a grim reminder of the previous night’s tragedy.
Police Chief Scott Thurmond explained that the attack was likely a murder-for-hire, with one of the victims being the primary target. “We believe that there was a ‘hit,’ if you will, on that particular person,” Thurmond said. According to law enforcement, the shooters pulled up in a vehicle, exited, and opened fire, then quickly fled the scene.
Investigators recovered approximately 100 shell casings from the area, and Chief Thurmond noted that some of the gunfire appeared to have been from “fully automatic” weapons. Authorities are still working to determine what specific firearms were used and whether there was any return fire, which could have led to a dangerous crossfire.
Tragically, two men and a woman were found dead at the scene, their bodies lying on the sidewalk. Another male victim succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital. In total, 17 people were injured, some critically, with four victims being treated at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, according to hospital spokeswoman Alicia Rohan.
The Five Points South area is particularly popular among young adults due to its proximity to the University of Alabama at Birmingham and its wide range of dining and entertainment options. The shooting disrupted what would have been a typical Saturday night for many in the district.
Geoffrey Boshell, a 22-year-old biomedical engineering student who lives nearby, described the chilling moment he heard the gunfire. “I heard it, looked out my window, and immediately see people screaming, fleeing the scene,” Boshell recalled. The incident left him deeply unsettled. “I’m not sure scared is the right word. Just very disturbed that it was happening right outside where you are living.”
Ashton Mills, 24, was on her way to work when she heard the gunshots. “It’s scary, especially as a single woman walking around the city,” she said. “I’m definitely a lot more on guard.”
Mayor Woodfin expressed his frustration and anger at the prevalence of gun violence in the United States, calling it an epidemic. “We find ourselves in 2024, where gun violence is at an epidemic level, an epidemic crisis in our country. And the city of Birmingham, unfortunately, finds itself at the tip of that spear,” he stated.
During his press conference, Woodfin urged both state and federal officials to provide more tools for cities like Birmingham to tackle this growing crisis. Using a gesture where he placed both hands behind his back, he illustrated how cities are limited in their ability to combat crime effectively. He also pointed to Alabama’s decision last year to abolish the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed handgun in public as a contributing factor to the rising violence.
The mayor also highlighted the increasing use of Glock switches—devices that convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons—and assault-style rifles by criminals in the city. He stated that there is an “element” in Birmingham too comfortable carrying such weapons with the intent to cause harm.
Woodfin concluded by calling on elected officials at all levels to take action to address gun violence, which he labeled as a national crisis. “Elected officials locally, statewide, and nationally have a duty to solve this American crisis, this American epidemic of gun violence,” he emphasized.
Birmingham’s Struggle Against Gun Violence
The tragic events in Birmingham underscore the city’s ongoing battle with gun violence, a crisis that continues to affect communities across the United States. With both local and national officials being called to take more decisive action, the hope is that tragedies like the one in Five Points South can be prevented in the future. The pleas from city leaders, coupled with the demands of a shaken public, highlight the urgency of addressing the epidemic of gun violence gripping the nation.
