The search continues for the suspect in the fatal shooting of a Birmingham firefighter last week.
Jordan Melton, 29, died Monday following the shooting last Wednesday in the Norwood community fire station. Firefighter Jamal Jones was also shot and remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Melton had been a member of the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service for over a year, but only graduated from the recruit academy a month prior.
Thank you for your service Firefighter Jordan Melton. Today, we pause to honor your life and your legacy.
End of Watch: 07-17-2023 pic.twitter.com/oISXd44bGx
— Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) (@bhamfirerescue) July 18, 2023
The suspected attack has sent shockwaves throughout the country.
“We don’t know why it would be a targeted attack, that’s one of the things we’re trying to determine,’’ Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond said. “It’s extremely unusual for someone to come target one of our fire stations, and so we’re trying to see why would someone want to target one of these fire stations in Birmingham.”
Gov. Kay Ivey announced two additional rewards of $5,000 each for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible, bringing the total reward to $25,000.
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“We mourn the loss of Birmingham Firefighter Jordan Melton, who, along with fellow Firefighter Jamal Jones, was deliberately shot while on duty at the Norwood Community fire station,” Ivey said. “I am offering two $5,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this heinous crime against two of Birmingham’s dedicated first responders.
“We will not rest until justice is served.”
Ivey also plans to issue a directive calling for all state flags to be lowered to half-staff in Melton’s honor once his arrangements have been announced.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin remembered Melton as a vibrant young man with a passion for his work, sports, and family.
“Jordan had developed close ties with his fellow firefighters, which makes this loss all the more tragic,” he said. “Birmingham Fire is so much more than a collection of employees, they are a family in every sense of the word.
“And right now, that family is in a lot of pain.”
As the manhunt continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward to help bring the perpetrator to justice.
Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
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