Crime
Two Killed in Separate Overnight Shootings in Birmingham, Occurring Minutes Apart
Birmingham police are investigating two separate fatal shootings that occurred within minutes of each other on opposite sides of the city overnight, leaving two young men dead.
The first incident took place around midnight in the 1400 block of 57th Street in Ensley. Officers responded to reports of gunfire and arrived to find 22-year-old Xavier Colvert unresponsive inside his white pickup truck.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service personnel pronounced Colvert dead at the scene. Authorities marked at least six shell casings near the passenger side of the truck, indicating multiple shots had been fired.
Just 21 minutes later, at approximately 12:21 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Eighth Terrace West following another report of gunfire.
Upon arrival, they discovered a vehicle riddled with bullet holes, having crashed into shrubbery and the front porch of a nearby home.
Police reported that more than two dozen shots were fired during this incident.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as 18-year-old Ronald Bennett Jr., was found lying on the ground outside the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities believe Bennett was a student at Huffman High School.
A passenger in the vehicle reportedly attempted to regain control after Bennett was shot, but the car veered off the road and crashed.
Multiple friends and family members gathered at the scene as investigators worked and a tow truck removed the vehicle from the property.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Huffman High School community,” said Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald.
These two deaths mark Birmingham’s ninth and tenth homicides of 2025. The city has already experienced eight homicides in January—two more than in the same month last year.
In total, Jefferson County has recorded 15 homicides so far this year, including the ten within Birmingham city limits.
Anyone with information related to these cases is urged to contact Birmingham Police detectives at 205-254-1764 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. — What was meant to be a night of celebration turned into tragedy when gunfire erupted during Homecoming festivities at Lincoln University, one of the nation’s oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The Saturday evening shooting left one person dead and six others injured, casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a weekend of pride and unity.
Officials have identified the deceased victim as 25-year-old Jujuan Jeffers of Wilmington, Delaware, who suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Authorities confirmed that all six surviving victims—aged between 20 and 25 years old—are expected to recover.
In a Sunday afternoon update, officials named 21-year-old Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson as one of the suspects involved in the shooting.
He is currently being held at the Chester County Prison on $25,000 bail, charged with carrying a firearm without a license, according to court documents.
Authorities emphasized that current evidence does not suggest the suspects attended the event with the intent to carry out a mass shooting.
Instead, investigators believe the violence stemmed from a dispute or altercation that escalated into gunfire.
The shooting occurred in the parking lot of the International Cultural Center, where a tailgate celebration was taking place following Lincoln University’s Homecoming football game.
The area was filled with tents, tables, and students celebrating the evening when chaos suddenly erupted.
“We set this out to be a time to celebrate the legacy of Lincoln University, the first Historically Black HBCU,” said University Police Chief Marc Partee. “Devastated. If there was another word to describe that, one more impactful, I would use it — but devastated is a start.”
Lincoln University officials have announced that classes will be canceled on Monday, October 27, designating the day as one of “healing and reflection.” Plans for a remembrance event honoring Jujuan Jeffers are underway.
Chester County Detectives are leading the investigation, with assistance from the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police.
Authorities strongly believe multiple shooters were involved.
K-9 units are assisting in evidence collection, and forensic teams are processing what remains a large and active crime scene.
Investigators are conducting witness interviews and reviewing extensive surveillance and cellphone video footage.
Anyone with video evidence, no matter how minor it may seem, is urged to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI to receive a secure upload link for submission.
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office continues to coordinate with local and federal partners to piece together the sequence of events and determine all parties involved.
Officials have assured the community that the investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional verified updates will be released as they become available.