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.
The Chicago Police Department has charged a man in connection with the fatal stabbing of a woman at a CTA Green Line station on Thursday afternoon.
Willi Holmes, 54, faces one felony count of first-degree murder following the death of 25-year-old Emily Carlson.
According to authorities, the incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. at the Central Avenue Green Line station.
Preliminary investigations reveal that Carlson was with another individual when a verbal altercation broke out involving Holmes.
The argument escalated into a physical confrontation, during which Holmes allegedly produced a knife and stabbed Carlson in the back.
Holmes then fled the scene.
Emergency medical personnel responded, and Carlson was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
Chicago police officers quickly located and arrested Holmes shortly after the attack.
A weapon believed to have been used in the stabbing was recovered at the time of his arrest.
Sources indicated that the altercation began on the station platform and continued onto the street.
Holmes is currently in custody and is scheduled to appear at a detention hearing on Saturday.
The investigation remains ongoing.