By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A 17-year-old has been charged with murder and possession of a machine gun conversion device following two shootings near Legion Field that killed one person and wounded eight after the Magic City Classic.
Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett announced the charges Monday night, Nov. 2. The victim who died was identified as Dre’Shawn Thomas, 19, a Parker High School graduate, according to The Birmingham Times.
“This individual is off the street and will be held accountable,” Pickett said, the newspaper reported.
Police said gunfire erupted shortly after 7:50 p.m. Oct. 31 along Graymont Avenue. Authorities investigated a second shooting near Third Street West and Graymont Avenue. Officers recovered multiple firearms and apprehended the teenager shortly after the shootings, according to WBRC.
As of Monday’s police update, one surviving victim remained in critical condition. Investigators continued seeking information and video footage from the public.
City officials said the first shooting occurred outside Legion Field’s tailgate area and injured six people. A second shooting less than eight minutes later, near food vendors across from the stadium, involved three victims.
The violence followed the annual football rivalry between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University. Officials said the teenager charged was not affiliated with either institution.
Mayor Randall Woodfin urged residents to support the victims while preserving the event’s significance to Birmingham and historically Black colleges and universities. He emphasized that the shootings occurred after official Classic events.
Anyone with information may contact Birmingham police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. The charges are allegations, and the teenager is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.