Media Release 274- Arrest Made in the Antonio Benson Homicide Investigation
Arrests Made in the Antonio Benson Homicide Investigation
The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives have obtained a warrant for an arrest in connection to the murder of Antonio Benson and the attempted murder of an adult male. The incident occurred on Saturday, December 16, 2023, in the 700 Block of 29th Street South.
The suspects have been identified as:
- Dearius Davis, (24), B/M, of Hueytown, Alabama.
- Dequantez Davis, (26) B/M, of Hueytown, Alabama.
On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, Birmingham Police Detectives presented case information to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. After an assessment of the information, detectives obtained a warrant for Murder (No Bond) on Dearius Davis and an Attempted Murder ($125,000) warrant on Dequantez Davis.
On Thursday, December 21, 2023, BPD’s Crime Reduction Team and the U.S. Marshal’s Service took the suspects into custody. Dearius Davis was taken into custody in Hueytown, Alabama and Dequantez Davis was taken into custody in Bessemer, Alabama.
Both suspects have been booked into the Jefferson County Jail.
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Homicide Investigation
(Media Release 269)
The Birmingham Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Saturday, December 16, 2023.
The victim has been identified as:
Antonio Benson, (28), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama.
At approximately 2:50 a.m., BPD officers, working off-duty security at a bar in the Lakeview District, heard gunshots fired in the 700 Block of 29th Street South.
South Precinct officers responded to the location.
Officers observed two adult males suffering from an apparent gunshot wound near a food truck.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue (BFR) personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced the victim deceased. BFR personnel transported the second adult male victim to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The preliminary investigation suggests the victims were at a food truck when they were involved in a verbal argument with a separate group of males. The argument then turned physical and then ultimately led to shots being exchanged between both groups.
The suspects fled on foot.
A food truck in a nearby parking lot was struck by gunfire along with several vehicles.
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 120th murder investigation of 2023 with 9 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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