Media Release 84
Homicide Investigation Update
See update details below original release
The Birmingham Police Department reports detectives are conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Monday, April 13, 2020.
The victim has been identified as Cordai Deonte Molette, (23), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama.
At approximately 4:36 p.m., Officers from the South Precinct responded to a shot-spotter call of multiple rounds fired in the area of the 200 block of 48th St. North. Upon arrival officers discovered a male unresponsive inside of a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased.
The preliminary investigation suggest the victim was traveling westbound on Airport Highway and turned onto 48th Street North when gunfire erupted. The victim’s vehicle came to a rest after striking the exterior wall of a nearby business. An unknown person in a white Chevy Impala with dark tinted windows and a sunroof fled the scene. There are no suspect(s) in custody. Detectives have not established a motive in this homicide investigation.
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 25th homicide investigation of 2020 and 4 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**
Update
The Birmingham Police Department reports an arrest has been made in connection to the homicide of Cordai Molette.
The suspect has been identified as
Charza Jamal Knight, (21), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama.
Detectives presented information gathered on the case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for review. Following the assessment, a Capital Murder warrant was obtained with no bond. Charza Knight has been taken into custody and is currently being held in the Jefferson County Jail.
See attached mug shot.
