1 dead, at least 8 injured in shootings after largest HBCU football game, police say

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) – One person is dead and at least eight others are injured after two shootings Saturday night near the Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Alabama, authorities said.

The Magic City Classic is the largest historically Black college and university football game in the United States.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin confirmed Sunday that police were investigating two separate incidents that happened in the west city of the city.

Woodfin said the first shooting injured six people and happened outside of the Legion Field perimeter and outside of the Magic City Classic tailgate area. The mayor said the second shooting happened less than eight minutes later across the street from Legion Field in the Graymont Avenue area and had three victims. Police and fire and rescue responded to the scene around 7:50 p.m. Saturday night.

Investigators said multiple firearms were recovered at the scene.

Woodfin said a 17-year-old, who had a gun, is in custody in connection with the investigation; however, the teen is not the only suspect and the investigation remains ongoing.

Officials said seven people were taken to the hospital and the victims range in age from 19 to 30. Two are in critical condition and five are in stable condition, officials said.

More than 50 people were treated for minor injuries from the chaos of the shootings.

Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett described the shooting as a “senseless act of violence” and praised responding personnel.

“Everyone knows this is the largest event we have here in the city and it’s extremely taxing on our personnel. Other leaders in law enforcement recognize that and they quickly offered up support and we are grateful for that quick response,” Pickett said. “I’ll end with this.. our Birmingham police officer are true heroes. They are true heroes. Seeing the courage and resilience they displayed tonight, running alongside them in the direction of those gunshots, triaging people as we pass by them going in the direction of the shots to make sure they weren’t injured, or if they were injured rendering aid as we continue toward the gunfire.. that shows true courage, that shows the true dedication they have to actually saving lives. And I’m thankful that all of our police officers as well of others who were assistance are able to go home to their families tonight.”

Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett