Crime
1 killed, multiple wounded after shooting in downtown Mobile
MOBILE, Ala. — One man has died and multiple others were injured following a late-night shooting in downtown Mobile, authorities confirmed.
According to the Mobile Police Department, the gunfire erupted shortly after 11:00 p.m. Sunday in the area of Dauphin Street and Joachim Street.
Mobile Police Chief William Jackson stated that officers responded immediately after reports of shots fired and discovered multiple individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
“At approximately 11 o’clock p.m. Sunday night, shots were fired in the area of Joachim and Dauphin Street,” Jackson said. “At this time, we know there are multiple gunshot victims. We do not yet have names, and we do not know what the altercation was in reference to. We do have one individual who is deceased at a separate scene, and one who remains in critical condition. That’s the extent of the confirmed information at this point.”
Police are actively investigating two separate but related crime scenes — one at the intersection of Dauphin and Joachim streets and another in a parking lot located approximately one block away.
Authorities indicated that determining the precise number of victims has been challenging, as some individuals transported themselves to local hospitals following the shooting.
The incident occurred just hours after more than 100,000 people gathered in downtown Mobile for Mardi Gras festivities.
Chief Jackson emphasized that investigators do not believe the shooting was directly related to the celebrations.
“This had nothing to do with Mardi Gras,” Jackson said. “It may have been spillover from the Mardi Gras crowd, but at the time of the shooting, we had between 45 and 55 officers deployed in the downtown area — on foot and on horseback. We had teams positioned very close to where the shooting occurred. The area was heavily saturated with law enforcement.”
Authorities confirmed that one person of interest has been detained in connection with the investigation. However, Chief Jackson clarified that the individual has not been formally identified as a suspect.
“We are conducting interviews, and we have one person detained as a person of interest,” Jackson said. “At this time, we cannot say that he is a suspect. Detectives are actively working both scenes.”
Investigators have not yet determined how many shots were fired or whether multiple shooters were involved.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence, review surveillance footage, and interview witnesses.
Additional details, including the total number of victims and updates on their medical conditions, are expected as the investigation progresses.
Crime
19-year-old Brianna killed in Lincoln shooting, suspect Tyler Benzel charged with first-degree murder
LINCOLN, Neb. — Lincoln police have released additional information about a fatal shooting Tuesday evening that claimed the life of a 19-year-old woman identified as Brianna.
Authorities have identified 37-year-old Tyler Benzel as the suspect in the shooting. According to Lancaster County Jail records, Benzel has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death.
According to Lincoln police, the incident began with a verbal and physical altercation involving Benzel’s wife, Brianna and other individuals.
Investigators said they believe the confrontation was initiated by Benzel’s wife. Police said Benzel later left his residence and approached the group.
Authorities allege that Benzel told the individuals to leave and made verbal threats before raising a firearm and firing at the group. Police said the confrontation and shooting took place away from Benzel’s property.
Officers arrived at the scene within moments and found Brianna suffering from a single gunshot wound.
Officers immediately began providing life-saving medical treatment at the scene. Brianna was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Police recovered a 9mm handgun at the scene. However, investigators said forensic testing is still required to determine whether the recovered firearm was the weapon used in the shooting.
Authorities said they are not currently aware of any other weapons being involved in the incident.
Police said Benzel was cooperative when officers arrived at the scene. Authorities also said Benzel and his wife did not know Brianna or the other individuals involved before the altercation.
Benzel’s wife has not been arrested or charged in connection with the shooting at this time.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue gathering evidence, including forensic testing of the recovered firearm.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Benzel is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.