Crime
4 dead, 17 injured in “targeted paid to kill” mass shooting at Five Points South in Birmingham
A devastating mass shooting occurred in Birmingham’s Five Points South neighborhood on Saturday night, resulting in the tragic deaths of four people and injuries to 17 others.
The incident unfolded around 11 p.m. in the 2000 block of Magnolia Avenue. Responding officers discovered three victims, two men and a woman, unresponsive on the sidewalk.
Sadly, they were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth victim was later pronounced deceased at UAB Hospital.
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.
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.