Media Release 259- Arrests Made in the Anthony Blount Jr. Homicide Investigation
Arrests Made in the Anthony Blount Jr. Homicide Investigation
The Birmingham Police Department reports detectives have obtained a warrant for an arrest in connection to the murder of Anthony Blount Jr., who was shot and killed on Thursday, November 16, 2023, while in the 1000 Block of 2nd Court West.
The suspects have been identified as:
- Raymond Simpson, (31), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama.
- Ricky Bell, (56), B/M, of Marion, Alabama.
On Monday, November 27, 2023, Birmingham Police Detectives presented case information to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. After an assessment of the information, detectives obtained warrants for Capital Murder (Victim Shot While Inside a Vehicle) for the suspects’ arrest.
On Friday, December 1, 2023, West Precinct officers took Raymond Simpson into custody in the South Park Road area after he was involved in a high-speed chase with officers. The chase was initiated after officers observed Raymond Simpson driving a stolen vehicle.
On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, West Precinct officers took Ricky Bell into custody near Princeton Hospital after officers had knowledge of his Capital Murder warrant and then observing him exiting a vehicle in the area.
Both suspects will be held in the Jefferson County Jail with No Bond.
Raymond Simpson
Ricky Bell
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Homicide Investigation
(Media Release 246)
The Birmingham Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Thursday, November 16, 2023.
The victim has been identified as:
Anthony Blount Jr., (46), B/M, of Pensacola, Florida.
At approximately 10:50 p.m., West Precinct officers received a ShotSpotter alert in the 1000 Block of 2nd Court West.
Officers arrived on the scene and then observed a vehicle that had collided with an unoccupied parked vehicle. Upon further investigation, officers observed the victim inside the driver’s seat of one of the vehicles; he was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced the victim deceased.
The preliminary investigation suggests the victim was in his vehicle when an unknown suspect(s) fired shots at him.
There is no one 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.
This is Birmingham’s 110th 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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