Media Release 198
Reclassification-Justifiable Death Ruling
The Birmingham Police Department reports detectives have received a ruling in connection to the homicide investigation of Josiah Bryant. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 19, 2021.
Investigators presented the information gathered to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office for review. Following the assessment, the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office ruled the actions justifiable. This investigation is reclassified as a Justified Death Investigation.
The Birmingham Police Department has 63 murders thus far in 2021 and 10 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 into 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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Homicide Investigation
(Media Release 154)
The Birmingham Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 19, 2021.
The deceased has been identified:
Josiah Bryant, (22), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama.
At approximately 7:45 a.m., West Precinct officers were dispatched to 543 Tuscaloosa Avenue (Hatcher’s Auto Transmission’s Center) on report of a person shot. Officers arrived on the scene and observed a male, later identified as Josiah Bryant, lying unresponsive inside of the business suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced Josiah Bryant deceased.
The preliminary investigation suggests the deceased was in the process of robbing an employee of the business when shots were exchanged between the deceased and the employee. The deceased was struck by gunfire.
A handgun was recovered on the scene near the deceased. The employee of the business was fully cooperative with detectives. BPD detectives will present this case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office who will issue a ruling on this incident.
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. Simply download the app and submit a tip. Updates will be provided as information becomes available.
This is Birmingham’s 53rd murder investigation of 2021 with 4 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 into 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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