BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A shooting near Legion Field after the Magic City Classic left one person dead and eight others wounded Saturday night, turning a major celebration of historically Black college football into a scene of fear and grief.
Birmingham police said gunfire erupted shortly after 7:50 p.m. in the 400 block of Graymont Avenue West, just outside the stadium area. The shooting occurred after most spectators and families had left the property, according to Police Chief Michael Pickett, but vendors were still operating along the avenue nearby.
Authorities had not publicly identified the person who was killed as of the latest briefing. Pickett said one wounded person was in critical condition, while the other seven injured people were listed as stable. Police did not release additional information about the victims.
Investigation remains active
Officers detained one person and took that individual to Birmingham police headquarters for processing, Assistant Public Information Officer De’Rell Freeman said. Police have not said whether the person has been charged, whether investigators consider that individual a suspect or what may have led to the shooting.
Investigators recovered multiple firearms at the scene and placed them in the Birmingham Police Department’s property room, officials said. The department’s homicide unit is handling the investigation with assistance from the FBI and other partner agencies.
Police did not take questions at the news conference, leaving several details unresolved, including the circumstances that preceded the gunfire and whether more than one person may have been involved. The investigation is expected to rely in part on recordings made by people who attended the game or were in the surrounding area.
“It may seem like it’s nothing. It may seem insignificant. Please send it in,” Chief Michael Pickett said, urging witnesses to provide video.
Police ask witnesses to preserve video
Birmingham police are asking anyone who recorded footage near Graymont Avenue West to submit it to investigators. Officials said even material that appears unimportant could help establish the sequence of events, identify people present or clarify what happened before and after the shooting.
The department said people who submit video will remain anonymous. Anyone with information can contact the BPD homicide unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Residents are being asked to share original footage with investigators rather than altering or deleting it.
| Investigation detail | Information released |
|---|---|
| Location | 400 block of Graymont Avenue West near Legion Field |
| Police response | One person detained; multiple firearms recovered |
| Casualties | One dead and eight wounded |
| Public tip lines | Homicide unit: 205-254-1764; Crime Stoppers: 205-254-7777 |
Officials respond to violence after celebration
Mayor Randall Woodfin said the shooting had left the community hurt, shaken and angry. He condemned the violence and said no dispute could justify what occurred during a night intended for celebration.
Woodfin also said Birmingham would continue working toward justice and that residents would stand together as the city responds. His remarks came as police worked to secure the area, gather evidence and determine what happened near the postgame vendor activity.
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell also responded, saying the community should be able to observe its traditions in peace. The Magic City Classic is a longstanding HBCU football event that draws spectators to Birmingham, making the shooting especially disturbing for residents and visitors who had gathered for the game.
Community safety questions follow
Because the gunfire occurred after the game and near a public vendor area, the shooting is likely to intensify concern about safety around large gatherings. Police said most families and spectators had already departed the stadium grounds, and Pickett expressed gratitude that more people were not injured.
Still, the reported injuries underscore how quickly violence near an event can affect people beyond those directly involved. The available information does not establish whether the shooting was connected to the football game, the vendors or a personal dispute. Police have not announced a motive.
Residents with information are encouraged to contact investigators even if they did not witness the shooting firsthand. Video from phones, vehicles or nearby businesses may help detectives build a timeline. Until police release further findings, officials are asking the public to avoid speculation and allow the investigation to proceed.
The identities of the person killed and those wounded, along with any possible charges, remained pending as police continued their work Sunday. Additional information is expected as investigators review evidence, interview witnesses and assess the submitted video.
