Crime
Violent Start to 2025 in Jefferson County Leaves Four Men Dead
The killings occurred between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Birmingham, Graysville, and Bessemer, highlighting a troubling start to 2025 in the region.
Jefferson County, AL – The new year has begun with a wave of violence in Jefferson County, claiming the lives of four men in separate incidents, including the fatal shooting of a Domino’s delivery driver during an apparent robbery.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has identified the victims as:
- Derek Marcus Burpo, 51, of Birmingham
- Elijah Mack Jr., 65, of Birmingham
- Jason Neal Duke, 40, of Graysville
- Ernest Paul Christion Jr., 68, of Birmingham
The killings occurred between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Birmingham, Graysville, and Bessemer, highlighting a troubling start to 2025 in the region.
Derek Burpo: Domino’s Delivery Driver Killed in Apparent Robbery
At approximately 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Birmingham police responded to reports of shots fired in the 400 block of Roebuck Drive on the city’s east side. Upon arrival, officers found Burpo unresponsive outside his car near a house on a private road. His vehicle contained pizzas he was in the process of delivering.
Burpo was pronounced dead on the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service at 9:42 p.m.
“This is one of the most heartbreaking homicides we have witnessed,’’ said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. “A man out trying to make an honest living was killed so violently. They robbed a family of their loved one.”
Detectives are investigating whether the crime was premeditated or a crime of opportunity. Residents in the area reported hearing multiple gunshots, and police are actively seeking leads.
Jason Neal Duke: Domestic Dispute Turns Deadly
Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the 300 block of 1st Avenue SW in Graysville around 1:21 a.m. on Wednesday. They discovered Duke, 40, dead at the scene. Graysville Fire and Rescue pronounced him deceased at 1:51 a.m.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute. A 40-year-old male suspect was questioned and released pending a review by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office to determine if charges will be filed.
Ernest Paul Christion Jr.: Stabbed in Ensley
Birmingham’s West Precinct Officers were dispatched to a house in the 2500 block of 15th Street Ensley just after 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Upon entering, they found 68-year-old Christion unresponsive.
He was transported by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:50 p.m.
Police are interviewing witnesses to determine a motive, but no arrests have been made at this time.
Elijah Mack Jr.: Victim of Fatal Assault
Details surrounding Mack’s death have not yet been released. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of his killing.
A Troubling Trend of Violence
The tragic deaths of these four men come as Jefferson County grapples with a violent start to 2025. Birmingham ended 2024 with a record-breaking 151 homicides, the highest number since 1933.
Law enforcement is urging the community to come forward with any information that could help solve these cases. Tips can be submitted to Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
As the investigations continue, local officials and community leaders are calling for increased efforts to address the root causes of violence and prevent further loss of life.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.