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.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.