BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WBRC) – Birmingham police say four people are dead following a mass shooting in Five Points South Saturday night.
Shortly after 11 p.m., Birmingham Police received a call about a shooting in the 2000 block of Magnolia Avenue.
When officers arrived on the scene, they found two men and a woman lying unconscious on the sidewalk. Police say the victims died at the scene.
Officer Truman Fitzgerald says a fourth victim was pronounced dead at UAB Hospital.
The Birmingham Fire Department reports that eight victims were taken to the hospital. According to BPD, four of them have life-threatening injuries.
Dozens of victims were admitted to various hospitals in the city.
According to police, there are a total of 21 gunshot victims, including the four killed.
The other 17 victims suffered injuries ranging from severe to non-life-threatening.
Police believe several suspects arrived at the scene in a vehicle. The suspects exited the vehicle and fired several shots at a group of people on Magnolia Avenue before getting back in and fleeing the scene.
Investigators believe the shooting was not accidental, but rather an isolated incident in which several victims were caught in the crossfire.
Police Chief Scott Thurmond is convinced that someone was paid to kill the victim.
Police confirmed that the weapons used were fully automatic weapons. Over 100 cartridge cases were found at the crime scene.
They are also trying to find out who the target of the shooting was.
“These mass shootings have more to do with culture than crime. Mayor Randall Woodfin said it best this week… we are seeing far too many disputes being decided with bullets and I think this reflects exactly what our mayor just said,” Officer Fitzgerald said.
According to authorities, no one is currently in custody.
Watch live video from the scene of the accident
Birmingham Police held a press conference at 9 a.m. to provide the latest information. WBRC broadcast the press conference on television, Facebook and YouTube.
Watch the BPD press conference live
Police Chief Thurmond and Mayor Woodfin urged the public to come forward with any information that could lead to an arrest.
If you have any information about the case, you are asked to call the Birmingham Police Department Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
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