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Media Release 5- Homicide Investigation- 3rd Av N at Center Street

Homicide Investigation

The Birmingham Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

The victim has been identified as:

Cortez Dekelvin Ware (37), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama.

At 2:02 PM, officers were dispatched to the 301 Center Street North, on a call of a person shot.

Upon arrival officers observed the victim lying in front of Elyton Meat Market suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased.

With information from community members and assistance from the Real Time Crime Center the suspect was located a couple of blocks away from the scene and taken into custody. The suspect was placed on an investigative hold and taken to Birmingham City Jail.

If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, please contact the 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 2nd murder investigation of 2023 including 0 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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