Crime
Violent Start to 2025 in Jefferson County Leaves Four Men Dead
The killings occurred between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Birmingham, Graysville, and Bessemer, highlighting a troubling start to 2025 in the region.
Jefferson County, AL – The new year has begun with a wave of violence in Jefferson County, claiming the lives of four men in separate incidents, including the fatal shooting of a Domino’s delivery driver during an apparent robbery.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has identified the victims as:
- Derek Marcus Burpo, 51, of Birmingham
- Elijah Mack Jr., 65, of Birmingham
- Jason Neal Duke, 40, of Graysville
- Ernest Paul Christion Jr., 68, of Birmingham
The killings occurred between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Birmingham, Graysville, and Bessemer, highlighting a troubling start to 2025 in the region.
Derek Burpo: Domino’s Delivery Driver Killed in Apparent Robbery
At approximately 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Birmingham police responded to reports of shots fired in the 400 block of Roebuck Drive on the city’s east side. Upon arrival, officers found Burpo unresponsive outside his car near a house on a private road. His vehicle contained pizzas he was in the process of delivering.
Burpo was pronounced dead on the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service at 9:42 p.m.
“This is one of the most heartbreaking homicides we have witnessed,’’ said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. “A man out trying to make an honest living was killed so violently. They robbed a family of their loved one.”
Detectives are investigating whether the crime was premeditated or a crime of opportunity. Residents in the area reported hearing multiple gunshots, and police are actively seeking leads.
Jason Neal Duke: Domestic Dispute Turns Deadly
Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the 300 block of 1st Avenue SW in Graysville around 1:21 a.m. on Wednesday. They discovered Duke, 40, dead at the scene. Graysville Fire and Rescue pronounced him deceased at 1:51 a.m.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute. A 40-year-old male suspect was questioned and released pending a review by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office to determine if charges will be filed.
Ernest Paul Christion Jr.: Stabbed in Ensley
Birmingham’s West Precinct Officers were dispatched to a house in the 2500 block of 15th Street Ensley just after 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Upon entering, they found 68-year-old Christion unresponsive.
He was transported by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:50 p.m.
Police are interviewing witnesses to determine a motive, but no arrests have been made at this time.
Elijah Mack Jr.: Victim of Fatal Assault
Details surrounding Mack’s death have not yet been released. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of his killing.
A Troubling Trend of Violence
The tragic deaths of these four men come as Jefferson County grapples with a violent start to 2025. Birmingham ended 2024 with a record-breaking 151 homicides, the highest number since 1933.
Law enforcement is urging the community to come forward with any information that could help solve these cases. Tips can be submitted to Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
As the investigations continue, local officials and community leaders are calling for increased efforts to address the root causes of violence and prevent further loss of life.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.