Crime
Video shows moments shots fired outside Hush Hookah bar at Five Points South in Birmingham
The four victims who were killed have been identified as Tahj Booker, Rod Patterson, Carlos Gray, and Anitra Reyonna.
A horrific mass shooting took place outside Hush Hookah/Cigar Lounge in Birmingham’s Five Points South neighborhood on Saturday night.
The incident occurred around 11 p.m. in the 2000 block of Magnolia Avenue.
Responding officers found three victims, two men and a woman, lying unresponsive on the sidewalk. Sadly, they were pronounced dead at the scene.
A fourth victim was later pronounced deceased at UAB Hospital.
The four victims who were killed have been identified as Tahj Booker, Rod Patterson, Carlos McCain, and Anitra Holloman.
UAB Hospital received a total of 12 victims, including the deceased individual.
Four of those victims remain hospitalized in varying conditions, ranging from good to critical.
The remaining victims were transported to other hospitals throughout the city.
According to police, multiple suspects arrived at the location in a vehicle. They exited the vehicle and opened fire on a group of people gathered on the sidewalk, indiscriminately firing shots before fleeing the scene. Authorities believe the shooting was not random but rather a targeted attack, with innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond revealed in a press conference that the targeted victim was likely paid to be killed.
He also confirmed that fully automatic weapons were used in the attack, with over 100 shell casings recovered from the scene. Mayor Randall Woodfin expressed deep concern about the increasing prevalence of such violent acts in the city.
Authorities are actively investigating the incident and are urging the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects. Witnesses can contact the Birmingham Police Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or 911. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Crime
River Ridge man kills wife, 2-year-old before Jefferson Parish deputies kill him
Sheriff Lopinto described the 911 call as critical to the rapid response and praised the child who called as “a brave little girl.”
Sheriff Joseph Lopinto of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) announced an ongoing investigation into a tragic incident involving a double homicide and a deputy-involved shooting early Friday morning in River Ridge, Louisiana.
Around 4:00 a.m., deputies responded to a 911 call from a child reporting multiple gunshot victims inside a residence on the 10000 block of Stephen Drive.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered a harrowing scene.
An adult female and a 2-year-old child were found unresponsive and suffering from fatal gunshot wounds.
Two additional juvenile females, ages 9 and 13, were found injured but alive.
Both were transported to Children’s Hospital.
The 9-year-old remains in critical condition after undergoing surgery, while the 13-year-old sustained a gunshot wound to the ankle.
While securing the residence, deputies encountered an armed adult male suspect, later identified as the father of the juvenile victims, in a back bedroom.
Deputies reported that the suspect brandished a firearm, prompting multiple officers to fire their service weapons.
The suspect was struck multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary evidence indicates that the suspect shot all four victims before being confronted and fatally wounded by deputies.
Sheriff Lopinto described the 911 call as critical to the rapid response and praised the child who called as “a brave little girl.”
- Deceased:
- 40-year-old mother.
- 2-year-old child.
- Suspect (father).
- Injured:
- 9-year-old child (critical condition).
- 13-year-old child (non-life-threatening injuries).
The JPSO continues to investigate the incident, including the circumstances leading to the shootings and the actions of deputies at the scene.
Sheriff Lopinto emphasized the gravity of the tragedy and assured the community that the investigation would be thorough and transparent.
No further details are available at this time. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.