Crime
47-year-old Damian Dawson killed after shooting on 9th Court West in Birmingham
The shooting stemmed from a domestic-related dispute.
Authorities confirmed that a female suspect involved in a fatal shooting on Monday evening has turned herself in to law enforcement.
A tragic incident unfolded Monday evening as Birmingham police launched their second homicide investigation within a two-hour span. The victim has been identified as 47-year-old Damian Dawson.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:40 p.m. in the 100 block of Ninth Court West, located near the College Hills community.
According to Officer Truman Fitzgerald, North Precinct officers responded to reports of a shooting in the area. Upon arrival, they discovered Dawson lying in the driveway of a family memberโs home, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency personnel from Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service transported Dawson to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
Fitzgerald confirmed that the shooting stemmed from a domestic-related dispute. The suspect, identified as Dawsonโs ex-girlfriend, fled the scene before officers arrived.
The Birmingham Police Departmentโs Real Time Crime Center played a crucial role in assisting investigators to track the suspect. Officer Fitzgerald emphasized the importance of community involvement in advancing the case.
โThe most powerful resource we have at this scene is community help and involvement,โ Fitzgerald stated. โThe community has been vital to this investigation, providing critical information to our detectives.โ
Before the suspect turned herself in, Fitzgerald addressed her directly: โThis is a case where we know exactly who shot the victim, and we know exactly who weโre looking for. We urge this person to please turn yourself in. Itโs only a matter of time before our investigators and patrol officers will find you.โ
This incident marks Birminghamโs eighth homicide in 2025. Jefferson County as a whole has recorded 13 homicides so far this year. In January 2024, Birmingham reported six homicides, with the final one occurring on January 25, 2024.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Birmingham detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Anonymous tips are welcome.
The community and police department continue to grieve for the victimโs family while seeking justice for this tragic loss.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado โ A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.