An argument at a birthday party that turns deadly is tragically familiar in Alabama this year.
That’s what authorities say happened early Sunday when an argument escalated into gunfire, leaving one teenager dead in Birmingham’s Inglenook community.
Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald reported BPD received a call at 2:05 a.m. about shots being fired in the 4100 block of 49th Terrace North. As officers were on their way, dispatchers informed them that a person had been shot.
Investigators found more than 100 spent shell casings at the scene.
“We do believe it was isolated and contained to the partygoers,” said Fitzgerald, mentioning that the attendees appeared to be in the age group of 18 to 20.
Many of the partygoers were believed to have fled after the shooting, and police are urging them to come forward with any information.
The incident marks the 59th homicide in Birmingham this year.
Last month, WBRC reported a “Bloody weekend in Birmingham” that left 11 shot and two dead.
“The violence doesn’t end there. Police say four people were shot in Lakeview on 7th Avenue South near a bar just before 1 a.m. Sunday,” they reported. “Police believe this all started after a fight broke out between two groups. BPD says four of the five shootings were targeted.”
“It is frustrating because in Birmingham we deal with a lot of crimes where the victims knew the suspect and vice versa,” Fitzgerald told WBRC.
With 144 homicides, 2022 was the deadiest year in decades for Birmingham.
Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
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