Murder investigations in Birmingham increased by 33% compared to the same period last year

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WBRC) – With more murders in Birmingham this week, we're examining how gun violence this year compares to last year.

This statistic is heartbreaking and reflects the sad reality of the city’s current situation.

Including the two separate murders on Tuesday evening, there are now 116 murder investigations in the city of Birmingham this year.

On this day one year ago, the BPD investigated 87 homicide cases. That's a 33% increase in just one year.

A stark difference between 2024 and 2023: Last year, there was not a single four-gun shooting in the city, while this year alone we have seen three of them.

The first of the year occurred on Friday, February 16, on Center Street North. Cortez Ray, Talton Tate, Terrell Edwards and Kevin McGhee lost their lives. The incident occurred near a vacant lot in the Smithfield community.

The second quadruple shooting attack this year occurred on Saturday, July 13, on 27th Street North. Inside a nightclub, someone shot and killed Lerandus Anderson, Stevie McGhee, Markeisha Gettings and Angela Weatherspoon. Ten other people were injured.

The most recent incident occurred on Saturday in the mass shooting on Magnolia Avenue South that killed Anitra Holloman, Tahj Booker, Carlos McCain and Roderick Patterson Jr. Seventeen other people were injured in the incident.

Mayor Randall Woodfin said Tuesday this should not be our new normal.

Councilwoman Crystal Smitherman, who represents Five Points South, said people are now afraid to go about their daily lives.

“I'm frustrated because grandmas don't feel comfortable sitting on the porch anymore, because people don't feel comfortable going out to dinner anymore, because I get calls from people in different cities across the country asking me, 'Are you OK?'” she added. “I'm sick of it because people feel so comfortable committing crimes. This is so disrespectful to everyone who lives here.”

The big conversation now is what we can do to stop the violence. Whether it's more policing, mental health resources, or a cultural shift, all eyes are on Birmingham as we work to make a change.

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