1 Killed, 8 Wounded in Shooting Near Birmingham’s Legion Field
One person was killed and eight others were wounded in a mass shooting near Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, on Saturday night following the Magic City Classic.
Status of the Investigation and Victims
Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett confirmed that one victim remains in critical condition, while seven others are in stable condition. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased. Officers have detained one individual in connection with the incident and recovered multiple firearms from the scene, which have been processed into the police department’s property room. While the motive remains under investigation, the department is currently soliciting video evidence from the public, assuring that submissions will remain anonymous.
The Birmingham Police Department is coordinating with the FBI and additional partner agencies to process the scene. City officials, including Randall Woodfin and U.S. Representative Terri Sewell, condemned the violence. Woodfin described the community as “hurt, shaken and rightfully angry.” He added, “There is no argument, no beef, no misunderstanding that can justify this level of senseless violence during a night of celebration.” U.S. Rep. Sewell noted, “Our community deserves to celebrate our traditions in peace and safety, without fear of gun violence.”
Police Clear Legion Field After Shooting
In response to the shooting, Birmingham police suspended all tailgating activities and ordered spectators to vacate the Legion Field property. Law enforcement officials have explicitly urged the public to avoid the stadium area during the ongoing investigation. The incident marks another instance of gun violence in the vicinity of the stadium during the Classic weekend. Archives from ABC 33/40 note that a shooting occurred in a stadium parking lot near Graymont Avenue and Center Street in 2014, and on October 25, 2024, two separate shootings were reported near Legion Field, including one in the 200 block of Eighth Avenue West and another at a residence in the 800 block of Seventh Street West, though no definitive connection to the game was established in the latter cases.
Related Incident at Riverchase Galleria
This event follows a separate shooting incident at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Alabama, on Friday. The Hoover Police Department responded to the scene at 11:57 a.m. after a person was shot in the arm near a jewelry kiosk in front of Champs Sports. Video footage shows a physical altercation between several people before a shot was fired. Hoover Police Chief Clay Morris stated that the suspect and the victim were known to each other and declared, “We will not tolerate criminal activity in the City of Hoover.”
Witness Accounts of the Mall Shooting
The Birmingham Police Department continues to request that anyone with information regarding the Legion Field shooting contact the homicide unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.