Media Release 251- Homicide Investigation- Willard Avenue SW
Homicide Investigation
The Birmingham Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Monday, November 20, 2023.
The victim will be identified upon notification to the next of kin.
At approximately 12:14 p.m., West Precinct officers were responding to a call of a house fire at Willard Avenue and 44th Street SW.
Officers along with Birmingham Fire and Rescue (BFR) arrived on scene and observed the residence on fire.
Upon making entry into the residence, BFR observed an adult male victim lying unresponsive in the doorway, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. A deceased dog near the victim had also been struck by gunfire.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel pronounced the victim deceased.
While on the scene, an additional call for service alerted officers to a second victim.
The preliminary investigation suggests the second victim came over to the decedent’s residence. While outside in his vehicle, the second victim was approached by an unknown male that began firing shots, striking the second victim before he fled the location on foot. A citizen in the area heard the gunshots and observed the house fire and call for Emergency Services.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue treated the second victim for non-life-threatening injuries.
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 114th murder investigation of 2023 with 8 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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