Crime
Midfield Records First Homicide of 2025 as 21-Year-Old Man Fatally Shot
At this time, no arrests have been announced.
Midfield, AL – Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in Midfield that claimed the life of a 21-year-old man, marking the city’s first homicide of the year.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as De’arrius Denard Starks, a resident of Midfield.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of Rayfield Drive.
Midfield Fire and Rescue Service responded to the scene and pronounced Starks deceased at 11:03 p.m.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into the homicide.
At this time, no arrests have been announced, and authorities have not disclosed any potential suspects or motives.
Starks’ death marks the 21st homicide reported in Jefferson County in 2025.
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact sheriff’s investigators at (205) 325-1450 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Crime
16-year-old Devajae Christopher and 17-year-old Tamarion West killed in Auburn Gresham shooting
CHICAGO, IL — Chicago police have identified 16-year-old Devajae “DJ” Christopher, known by friends as “Lil Spazz,” and 17-year-old Tamarion West, known as “Stewie,” as the two teenage victims found shot to death early Wednesday morning in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
A third victim, a 21-year-old man, was wounded in the same incident.
According to the Chicago Police Department (CPD), officers were dispatched to the 8100 block of South Marshfield Avenue around 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22, following reports of someone claiming they had been shot.
When first responders arrived, they discovered a 16-year-old male on the second-floor back porch of a residential building suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Upon entering the apartment, officers observed significant blood evidence and numerous shell casings scattered throughout the interior.
As they continued clearing the residence, they located a 17-year-old male in a hallway with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest. He was also pronounced deceased at the scene.
Officers then proceeded to the third floor, where they found a 21-year-old man hiding under a bed, suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm.
He was transported by the Chicago Fire Department to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was listed in fair condition.
A 13-year-old boy was also discovered hiding inside the residence but was physically unharmed.
Witnesses reported seeing three males fleeing the building shortly after gunfire erupted.
One nearby resident told investigators that the shooting may have occurred between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., when it was still dark outside, saying they heard multiple gunshots before gathering their children to pray.
At this time, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Two Bureau of Detectives are conducting a comprehensive investigation.
This tragic shooting marks the third incident within 24 hours in which multiple Chicago teenagers were shot, leaving three dead.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Chicago Police Department’s 6th District at (312) 745-3610, submit a tip anonymously through CPDTIP.com, or reach out to Cook County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-535-STOP (7867) for a potential reward leading to an arrest.
The investigation remains ongoing.