Alabama police investigate shooting that left 4 dead, 17 injured

Photo: Police cars are seen near the scene of a mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sept. 22, 2024. WBMA via AP

Authorities have not yet announced any arrests in connection with a mass shooting outside a popular Alabama nightspot that left four people dead and 17 others injured. Police are considering whether it may have been a hit-for-hire plot by multiple shooters, the Associated Press reported.

The shooting happened Saturday night, September 21, in Birmingham's Five Points South entertainment district, where nightlife is rife on weekends. The incident has alarmed local residents and prompted officials to take action against gun violence.

The shooting happened outside the Hush Lounge, and blood was still visible on the sidewalk Sunday morning. Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond said he believed the shooters were targeting one of the victims, and that it may have been a contract killing. Several of the shooters got out of a vehicle and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

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“We believe this was a 'contract hit,' if you will, on a specific person,” Thurmond said.

Police recovered about 100 shell casings and said some of the shots appeared to have been fired from automatic weapons. Investigators are also looking into whether any of the victims returned fire.

In a statement released Sunday, Sept. 22, police said the shooters used a device that increases the rate of fire of semiautomatic weapons.

The victims, two 27-year-old men and a 21-year-old woman, were found on the sidewalk. Another man was pronounced dead at a hospital. The four victims, who were in stable to critical condition, were being treated at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The area where the shooting took place is popular with young people due to its proximity to the university. It is the third mass shooting in Birmingham this year. Each of the previous two also left four people dead.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin expressed frustration with the rise in gun violence.

"We find ourselves in 2024, where gun violence has reached epidemic levels. “The city of Birmingham, unfortunately, finds itself at the forefront of this problem,” he said.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga