Teen charged in shooting that left 1 dead, 8 injured on Halloween
A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged in a shooting following a football game in Birmingham, Alabama, that killed one person and left eight others injured on Halloween.
The teen, who has not been identified by police, has been charged with murder and possession of a machine gun conversion device, the Birmingham Police Department said on Monday.
Police identified Dre' Shawn Thomas as the man killed in the shooting.
The shooting was near Legion Field, which hosted the Magic City Classic college football game between Alabama A&M and Alabama State on Saturday.
"This did occur after the game," Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett said this weekend. "For the most part, it was off of the property."
Multiple shots were fired shortly before 8 p.m. on Saturday, before a second shooting incident took place, according to police.
Officers responded to both locations and found multiple victims suffering gunshot wounds, police said. Multiple victims were transported to University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital for treatment, police said.
Nine victims were struck by gunfire in the two incidents; one victim was pronounced dead, one remains in critical condition, and seven others sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition, police said.
The ages of those injured range from 19 to 30, police said.
Officers recovered and secured multiple firearms from the scenes, police said.
Shortly after the shots were fired, officers apprehended a 17-year-old male in an alley as he attempted to flee the area, police said.
Detectives received formal charges from the Jefferson County District Attorney's office on the teen who was apprehended shortly after the shooting, Pickett announced in a press conference late Monday.
Pickett commended officers and first responders for their response to the shooting.
"Because of your swift actions and your courage, so many other lives were saved. Folks were apprehended and not able to injure even more people," Pickett said.
"Our thoughts and our prayers are with the families and please know we will continue to give it our all to make sure that our community that our Birmingham is a safe place to live," Pickett said.
The suspect will be transported to the Jefferson County Jail and held without bond, police said.
In a statement posted on social media, Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin said the shooting left him and the community "hurt, shaken and rightfully angry."
"There is no argument, no beef, no misunderstanding that can justify this level of senseless violence during a night of celebration," Woodfin said. "But hear me clearly: We refuse to let fear shake the spirit of this community. Justice will be served to those who brought harm to those at one of our most treasured events."
