Teen charged with murder after two shootings kill one at Birmingham parade
Police say a 17-year-old used a Glock with a machine gun device during the violence.
By Sakura Novak ·
Birmingham Police charged a 17-year-old boy with murder Monday night. The teen was arrested after two separate shootings near the Magic City Classic parade left one person dead and eight others wounded.
The trouble started shortly after 7:50 p.m. Saturday. Officers reported that multiple shots fired along Graymont Avenue. A second burst of gunfire occurred nearby at 3rd Street West and Graymont Avenue. In total, nine people sustained gunshot wounds.
Nineteen-year-old Dre’Shawn Thomas died from his injuries. Police said one other victim remains in critical condition at the hospital. The others are recovering from non-life-threatening wounds.
Chief Michael Pickett announced the charges during a press conference. The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office filed the murder count against the teen. They also charged him with possession of a machine gun conversion device.
Officers found the boy in an alley on 4th Court West. He was holding a Glock pistol fitted with a conversion kit. Authorities said he tried to run before they caught him. They recovered multiple guns at the scene and secured them for analysis.
Investigators are still looking for witnesses. The department asked residents to call 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. People with video of the incident can send the footage directly to police.
