Media Release 268- Justifiable Death Ruling- Springville Road
Justifiable Death Ruling
The Birmingham Police Department reports detectives have received a ruling in connection to the homicide investigation of Patrick Bennett. The incident occurred on Wednesday, May 18, 2023, in the 700 Block of Springville Road.
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 #9.
The preliminary investigation revealed it appears Patrick Bennett was shot after he and other males carjacked an adult male and one of the suspects shot the victim. The carjacking victim returned fire killing Patrick Bennett.
There is no one in custody.
The Birmingham Police Department has 119 murders thus far in 2023.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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Media Release 268- Justifiable Death Ruling- Springville Road
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Homicide Investigation
(Media Release 100)
The Birmingham Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
The victim has been identified as:
Patrick Bennett, (20), B/M, of Odenville, Alabama.
At approximately 7:55 PM, East Precinct officers were dispatched to a Person Shot call at the Springville Landing Apartment Complex, located in the 700 Block of Springville Road.
Officers arrived on the scene and observed an adult male lying unresponsive near an apartment. Officers located a second male gunshot victim in a grassy field.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue (BFR) personnel arrived on the scene and transported the first gunshot victim to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries. BFR pronounced the second gunshot victim deceased on the scene.
The preliminary investigation suggests the first gunshot victim was a victim of an armed carjacking (multiple suspects); he returned fire during the carjacking and struck the second gunshot victim, who we are treating as a suspect.
At around 8:25 PM, the Birmingham Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center located the victim’s vehicle in the Smithfield area at #10 9th Avenue West. North Precinct officers made contact with the vehicle and observed a suspect flee from the vehicle.
There is a heavy police presence in the Smithfield area. We have deployed the BPD K-9 Unit to the area.
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 42nd murder investigation of 2023 with 3 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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