Birmingham serial killer was paroled 13 years early before murder spree that left at least 14 dead

A Birmingham man who was released on parole in 2023 has now been charged with 14 murders, including the killing of a firefighter at his station and multiple mass shootings.

Damien McDaniel, 22, has been charged with capital murder in the July 2023 shooting of Jordan Melton, a Birmingham firefighter who was ambushed outside Station 9 in Norwood. Melton succumbed to his injuries five days later.

The case is just one in a series of violent crimes tied to McDaniel, who was let out on parole despite prior attempted murder convictions.

According to a timeline reported on CBS42, McDaniel’s criminal history dates back to 2019, when he was arrested at 17 and charged with two counts of attempted murder for shooting into an occupied vehicle. In April 2023, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but 13 of those years were suspended.

Due to time already served, McDaniel walked free just months before the alleged killings occurred.

Among his alleged crimes are the murder of UPS worker Anthony Love Jr. in April 2024 and a mass shooting at Trendsetters Lounge in July 2024 that left four dead and 10 wounded.

Just two months later, McDaniel is accused of carrying out another mass shooting at Hush Lounge in Five Points South, where four people were killed and 17 others were injured. The most recent charges announced on February 25, 2025, include the murder of firefighter Jordan Melton, Mia Nickson, and Anthony Love Jr.

CBS42 also reported that McDaniel’s defense attorney, John Robbins, stated his client would plead not guilty to all charges, emphasizing that McDaniel is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Robbins noted that the defense team will conduct an independent investigation and review the state’s evidence as the cases proceed to trial. District Attorney Danny Carr has announced that he will seek the death penalty in the case, citing the severity of the charges.

During a Birmingham City Council meeting, Councilor Hunter Williams referred to McDaniel as a “terrorist” and expressed support for the death penalty. However, Robbins maintains that no evidence has been presented in court to support the charges and urged the public to let the judicial system take its course.

Authorities continue to investigate McDaniel’s possible ties to other unsolved crimes in the city. Birmingham Fire Chief Clay Hendon expressed gratitude for the new developments, stating that while nothing can fill the void left by Melton’s death, the charges bring a step toward closure for his family and colleagues.

McDaniel is currently being held at Kilby Correctional Facility, where his parole has been revoked, and he must now serve the remainder of his 15-year sentence from his prior conviction. The timeline for his trials remains unclear, with decisions on how the cases will be prosecuted still pending in court.

Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].