Media Release 12- Arrest Made in the Markell Sanders Homicide Investigation
Arrest Made in the Markell Sanders Homicide Investigation
The Birmingham Police Department reports detectives have obtained a petition for Murder on a juvenile suspect in connection to the murder of Markell Sanders. Markell Sanders was shot and killed on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at his residence in the 4200 Block of 39th Avenue North.
The suspect has been identified as:
13-Year-Old Male Juvenile (name withheld to protect Juvenile Rights)
On Thursday, January 18, 2024, Birmingham Police Detectives presented case information to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office personnel assigned to Family Court. After an assessment of the information, detectives obtained a petition for Murder on the suspect.
On Monday, January 22, 2024, a family member of the suspect turned him into the custody of the Jefferson County Youth Detention Center.
NOTE: the victim and suspect are cousins.
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Homicide Investigation
(Media Release 9)
The Birmingham Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Sunday, January 14, 2024.
The victim has been identified:
Markell Sanders, (15), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama.
At approximately 12:16 a.m., East Precinct officers were responding to a call of a person shot in the 4200 Block of 39th Avenue North.
When officers arrived on the scene, they observed a juvenile male lying unresponsive inside a residence, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services arrived on the scene and pronounced the victim deceased.
The preliminary investigation suggests the victim’s mother called our 911 Communications Division and stated that her son had been shot.
Further details are limited in this investigation.
There is no one in custody.
If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, please contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit @ 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers @ 205-254-7777.
Updates will be provided as information becomes available.
This is Birmingham’s 5th murder investigation of 2024.
The Birmingham Police Department adheres to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting guidelines set for all law enforcement agencies across the United States. FBI Uniform Crime Reporting guidelines do not require law enforcement agencies to include justifiable death investigations in the total homicide investigations counts.
**The information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**
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