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Media Release 220

Reclassification-Justifiable Death Ruling

The Birmingham Police Department reports detectives have received a ruling in

connection to the homicide investigation of Reginald Curtis Crawford Jr. The incident occurred on Saturday, September 4, 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 69 murders thus far in 2021 and 12 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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Arrest Made in Double Homicide Investigation

(Media Release 217)

The Birmingham Police Department reports detectives have obtained warrants for two arrests made in connection to the murder of Cornelius Ja’Shawn Hilliard.

Cornelius Ja’Shawn Hilliard was shot and killed on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at 9164 Parkway East.

The suspects have been identified as:

  • Jureil Dowdell, (19), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama.
  • 17-year old juvenile male name withheld.

Birmingham Police Detectives presented information on the case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. After an assessment of the information, detectives obtained the following warrants:

  • Jureil Dowdell- Murder, Attempted Murder.
  • 17-year old juvenile- Murder.

Both suspects were arrested after a brief pursuit with East Precinct patrol officers. They both are being held in the Jefferson County Jail with No Bond.

Note: the shooting investigation of Reginald Curtis Crawford Jr. is still under review by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.

Please see attached photo of Jureil Dowdell.

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Double Homicide Investigation Update

(Media Release 214)

The Birmingham Police Department reports the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has identified the second victim of a double homicide that occurred on Saturday, September 4, 2021.

The victim has been identified as:

Cornelius Ja’Shawn Hilliard, (21), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama.

The preliminary investigation suggests an argument took place inside of the business which turned violent leading to gunfire. An officer on the scene provided “Be On The Lookout” (BOLO) information for the suspect vehicle to responding officers. Patrol officers in the nearby area observed a vehicle matching the BOLO information fleeing the scene.

Officers attempted to execute a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle; the vehicle refused to stop and a traffic pursuit ensued. The suspect vehicle was involved in a single-car accident when it left the roadway and crashed into a ravine near Tarrant-Huffman Road @ Linthicum Street in Tarrant, Alabama. Officers were able to take three male suspects into custody shortly after the chase. A fourth male suspect fled the area on foot.

East Precinct officers, officers from the Birmingham Tactical Operations Precinct along with officers from the Tarrant Police Department searched the area for the fourth suspect. After a perimeter was set up and multiple officers responded to the area, the search concluded; the fourth suspect remains at large.

The fourth suspect is described as a: black male, brown complexion, wearing a white t-shirt with a black emblem near the collar, black pants, and black shoes. He is presumed to be armed.

The three suspects taken into custody will be transported to the Birmingham Police Administration Building where they will be questioned by Homicide Unit detectives.

If there is anyone who has additional information pertaining to the case, please contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit @ 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers @ 205-254- 7777.

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Double Homicide Investigation / Multiple People Shot

(Media Release 213)

The Birmingham Police Department is conducting a double homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Saturday, September 4, 2021.

The victims have been identified as:

(1) Reginald Curtis Crawford Jr, (26), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama.

(2) The victim will be identified upon notification to the next of kin. 

At approximately 4:05 p.m., East Precinct officers were dispatched to 9164 Parkway East (Superior for Men) on report of multiple people shot. Officers arrived on the scene and observed two male victims lying unresponsive inside of the business suffering an apparent gunshot wound. Officers located two additional male victims on the scene who were wounded by gunfire from inside of the business.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue (BFR) personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced the two unresponsive males deceased. BFR transported the additional two victims to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The preliminary investigation suggests an argument took place inside of the business which turned violent leading to gunfire. An officer on the scene provided “Be On The Lookout” (BOLO) information for the suspect vehicle to responding officers. Patrol officers in the nearby area observed a vehicle matching the BOLO information fleeing the scene.

Officers attempted to execute a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle; the vehicle refused to stop and a traffic pursuit ensued. The suspect vehicle was involved in a single-car accident when it left the roadway and crashed into a ravine near Tarrant-Huffman Road @ Linthicum Street in Tarrant, Alabama. Officers were able to take three male suspects into custody shortly after the chase. A fourth male suspect fled the area on foot.

East Precinct officers, officers from the Birmingham Tactical Operations Precinct along with officers from the Tarrant Police Department searched the area for the fourth suspect. After a perimeter was set up and multiple officers responded to the area, the search concluded; the fourth suspect remains at large.

The fourth suspect is described as a: black male, brown complexion, wearing a white t-shirt with a black emblem near the collar, black pants, and black shoes. He is presumed to be armed.

The three suspects taken into custody will be transported to the Birmingham Police Administration Building where they will be questioned by Homicide Unit detectives.

If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the fourth suspect, please dial 911 immediately. Anyone with 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 comes available.

This is Birmingham’s 70th murder investigation of 2021 with 11 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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