8-year-old Birmingham girl shot in beam of gunfire, more than 70 shots fired

From Tribune staff reports

BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Police Department has launched an assault investigation after an 8-year-old girl was shot in a shooting in the Gate City, according to BPD Officer Truman Fitzgerald. The incident occurred on Sunday, May 12, 2024.

“Around 9 p.m., East Precinct officers received multiple Shot Spotter alerts in and around the Marks Village (Gate City) housing community,” Fitzgerald said. “Officers were advised that an adult female had been shot in Gate City. Officers learned that a juvenile gunshot victim arrived at Fire Station 12 (6449 1st Avenue North) in a private vehicle.”

Officers arrived in Gate City and then observed several spent shell casings in the roadway in the 6700 block of Kimberly Avenue.

“Officers made contact with the adult victim; she was not shot; however, she was injured during the shots fired,” Fitzgerald said.

Officers arrived at Fire Station 12 and then observed an 8-year-old child suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel transported the juvenile victim to Children’s Hospital.

Fitzgerald said the 8-year-old victim remains hospitalized at Children’s Hospital in stable condition.

“Preliminary investigation suggests 70 or more shots were fired in and around the Gate City. We believe there may have been an exchange of fire,” Fitzgerald said. “We currently believe the 8-year-old victim was traveling in the area in a vehicle with loved ones when an unknown suspect or suspects fired shots that entered the vehicle and then struck the victim.”

No one in the victim’s vehicle is believed to have been targeted. The victim appears to have been caught in the crossfire.

No one is in custody.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact BPD’s Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

Crime Stoppers pays informants cash rewards of up to $5,000 for their tips.