A late-night shooting incident at a privately owned nightclub in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 13, 2024, resulted in four fatalities and at least ten injuries, as reported by the Birmingham Police Department (BPD). The deadly event unfolded at a birthday party being held at the club, situated at 3400 27th Street North.
North Precinct officers responded to a distress call at 11:08 p.m., indicating multiple gunshot victims at the scene. Upon arriving, they found several individuals, inside and outside the nightclub, suffering from gunshot wounds.
The Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services (BFRS) were on the scene promptly and confirmed the death of 39-year-old Stevie McGhee, who was found on the sidewalk outside the establishment.
Inside the club, BFRS personnel discovered two women, 42-year-old Markeisha Gettings and 56-year-old Angela Weatherspoon, also suffering from gunshot wounds and pronounced them dead.
As the scene was secured by the police, more victims started arriving at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital. These injured individuals were transported by BFRS staff and private vehicles. Among these was 24-year-old Lerandus Anderson, who succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
As per Officer Truman Fitzgerald from the Birmingham Police Department, at least 10 people are undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds at the UAB Hospital. Their conditions vary from stable to critical. Fitzgerald stated, “This senseless act of violence has shaken our community to its core. We are committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring the safety of our citizens.”
The initial investigation suggests that the shooting was a result of a dispute that occurred inside the club during the birthday party. It is believed that following the altercation, at least one suspect carried out a drive-by shooting, firing into the nightclub from the street. Detectives are relentlessly working to ascertain the exact sequence of events and identify the culprits.
This incident is the second shooting in Birmingham within a span of six hours. Earlier that evening, another shooting on Indian Summer Drive claimed three lives, including that of a young child, marking a particularly violent night in the city.
The BPD has appealed to the community to assist in their investigations. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said, “We need swift justice for the victims and their families. The shooter or shooters deserve no safe harbor from their own family, friends, or strangers. Do not protect them.”
The police have requested anyone with information about either of the shootings to contact them at 205-254-1764 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. A reward of $5,000 has been offered for tips leading to an arrest in this case.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the violent incidents, the BPD is determined to restore a sense of safety and security. Federal law enforcement authorities have been deployed to aid Birmingham police in their investigation, to ensure a comprehensive and swift resolution.
