A deadly shooting outside a popular Birmingham, Alabama nightclub left four people dead and 17 others injured early Sunday morning, September 22, 2024. The incident occurred in the city’s historic Five Points South entertainment district, a hub known for its nightlife, where large crowds had gathered outside Hush Lounge.
According to Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond, multiple individuals arrived in a vehicle, exited, and opened fire on a crowd before fleeing the scene. A total of 21 people were shot, including four who were killed. While the identities of the suspects remain unknown, the preliminary investigation suggests that the attack was a targeted hit aimed at one specific person. Authorities believe there may have been financial motives behind the shooting, with someone possibly paying to have the intended victim killed.
The victims are Anitra Holloman, 21, Tahj Booker, 27, Carlos McCain, 27, and Roderick Lynn Patterson Jr., 26. The victims were transported to nearby hospitals, with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital treating 11 of the injured. Several of them remain in critical condition. Family members of the victims have gathered at the hospital, awaiting updates on their loved ones.
Mayor Randall Woodfin condemned the incident, noting that the city is facing an epidemic of gun violence and emphasized the need for stricter regulations to combat the issue.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene. Gabriel Eslami, 24, had been standing in line outside Hush around 11 p.m. when gunshots suddenly erupted. He began running for his life, but within moments, he lost feeling in his leg and collapsed to the ground after being struck by gunfire.
According to Eslami, what followed resembled a scene from a horror movie, with bodies scattered across the sidewalk, gun smoke lingering in the air, and shoes left behind by those desperately fleeing. He saw people hiding behind and under cars in an attempt to escape. Authorities are currently reviewing security camera footage from the area to identify the suspects.
Eslami was rushed to the hospital by a friend who had also been grazed by gunfire. A bullet had passed through his inner thigh, narrowly missing critical arteries by just a few millimeters, according to what the doctors told him. He expressed feeling overwhelmed by how fortunate he was to have survived with only minor injuries while acknowledging that others tragically did not make it home that night.
The investigation, led by the Birmingham Police Department, has been joined by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Law enforcement is urging any witnesses or local businesses with security footage to come forward to aid in the ongoing investigation.
The FBI’s involvement in the investigation suggests that federal charges could be brought against the suspects, particularly given the use of an illegal automatic weapon. Law enforcement is investigating whether the shooters used a machine gun conversion device. This tool can turn a semi-automatic firearm into an automatic one, which is illegal under most circumstances.
This shooting is the second mass shooting in Birmingham this year. In July, a nightclub shooting left four people dead, bringing attention to the rising violence in the city. The Birmingham Police Department, in collaboration with federal agencies, is working to address this troubling trend.
Birmingham remains on edge, with residents struggling with the reality of another deadly shooting. Community leaders are urging peace and cooperation in finding those responsible for the attack.