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Media Release 14- Arrest Made in the Willie Henderson Homicide Investigation

Arrest Made in the Willie Henderson Homicide Investigation

The Birmingham Police Department reports detectives have obtained a warrant for an arrest in connection to the murder of Willie Henderson. Willie Henderson was shot and killed on Saturday, December 16, 2023, in the 1200 Block of Princeton Avenue.

The suspect has been identified as:

Augustus Artez Benson Jr., (20), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama. 

On Saturday, December 30, 2023, Birmingham Police Detectives presented case information to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. After an assessment of the information, detectives obtained a warrant for Murder.

On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, BPD’s Crime Reduction Team arrested Benson in North Birmingham.

Augustus Artez Benson Jr. is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail and has No Bond.

NOTE: the suspect is a friend of one of the victim’s family members.   

Homicide Investigation

(Media Release 271-2023)

The Birmingham Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Saturday, December 16, 2023.

The victim has been identified as:
Willie Henderson, (31), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama.

At approximately 5:42 p.m., West Precinct officers responded to a call of a person shot in the 1200 Block of Princeton Avenue SW.

Officers arrived on the scene and observed an adult male victim 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 that neighbors nearby heard gunfire and called 911 Emergency Services.

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. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers through the Birmingham Police Department’s Mobile App on Android or IOS devices. Updates will be provided as information becomes available.

This is Birmingham’s 122nd murder investigation of 2023 with 9 justifiable death investigations. 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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