On September 23, officials in Birmingham, Alabama, announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the gunman involved in a tragic shooting outside a nightclub on the evening of September 21. This heartbreaking incident claimed the lives of four individuals and left 17 others injured. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin spoke to the media, highlighting the urgency of the situation. “Our immediate priority is clear: we must track down, apprehend, and convict the person responsible for this significant act of gun violence,” he said.
According to police reports, multiple shooters initially targeted a specific individual, but the chaos escalated, resulting in gunfire aimed at a crowd of people waiting to enter the club located in the bustling Five Points South district. Police Chief Scott Thurmond revealed that the gunmen likely intended to hit one or more of the deceased, while many of the injured were innocent bystanders. As of September 23, five of the injured remained hospitalized. The FBI has added $50,000 to the reward fund, while Crime Stoppers has matched that amount, combining to a total of $100,000. Those with tips can remain anonymous.
Birmingham, a city rich in the history of the American civil rights movement, has unfortunately seen a rise in gun violence in recent years. This shooting marks the third incident in 2023 alone that led to four deaths, contributing to a national tally of 23 mass shootings—Birmingham accounting for three of those cases.
With a population of roughly 200,000, Birmingham has recorded 114 homicides this year. In contrast, Chicago—home to more than 2 million people—has reported around 400 homicides, which is approximately ten times the rate of Birmingham.
The incident unfolded at Hush Lounge, which is surrounded by numerous restaurants and bars in the vibrant downtown area. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with bloodstains marking the ground—an unsettling aftermath that remained visible until the evening of the 22nd.
The first three confirmed victims have been identified as Anitra Holloman, 21, from suburban Bessemer; Tahj Booker, 27; and Carlos McCain, 27, both residents of Birmingham. The fourth victim, Roderick Lynn Patterson Jr., 26, was identified later on September 23.
Police collected nearly 100 shell casings from the scene and suspect that the shooters may have utilized a “converter” to increase the firing rate of a semi-automatic rifle, although Chief Thurmond noted that this detail has yet to be confirmed.
