The Birmingham Police Department in Alabama is currently probing into a quadruple murder that occurred on the afternoon of Friday, February 16, 2024.
The crime was reported at around 2:45 p.m., following an alert from Shot Spotter, which signaled that numerous rounds were discharged near the 900 Block of North Center Street.
On arrival, officers discovered four unresponsive males, each sustaining gunshot injuries, scattered near a vacant lot. Emergency workers attended to the victims, later identified as Talton Tate (36), Cortez Ray (32), Terrell Edwards (38), and Kevin McGhee (38).
Edwards, Ray, and Tate were pronounced dead at the scene, while McGhee, who was swiftly transported to UAB Hospital with life-threatening wounds, was declared dead upon arrival.
An early investigation indicates that the victims were at a local car wash when they were attacked. Police found 34 bullet casings at the crime scene, suggesting that this was a calculated act. However, the specific motives and intended targets remain under investigation. This event has increased Birmingham’s murder investigations count to 12 this year.
In addition to this incident, a few hours later a couple that had been missing since Valentine’s Day was found dead in a vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds.
The chair of Birmingham’s Public Safety, LaTonya Tate, expressed strong disapproval of the escalating violence, stating, “I cannot stand idly by as these tragedies continue to affect our communities, our families, our friends, and our neighbors. We cannot afford to overlook these murders.”
Tate stressed the need for a societal shift within the city to discourage criminals and break the prevailing silence on crime. “Silence is no longer an option. If you witness wrongdoing, speak up.”
She further stated, “Our hearts go out to the victims’ families, friends, and neighbors, and to the entire Birmingham community. We mourn with you and are committed to working with you to make our city a safer place.”
Police Chief Scott Thurmond expressed his frustration with the recurring violent acts in the community, condemning the habitual nature of such incidents. “It’s really deplorable that these things continue to happen in our city repeatedly. People need to find alternative methods to settle their disputes without resorting to gunfire,” Thurmond noted.
Mayor Randall Woodfin also expressed his sorrow, noting a personal connection to the tragedy—one of the victims was a city employee, and another was his cousin.
The Birmingham Police Department is soliciting information from the public, emphasizing the significance of community involvement in bringing the culprits to justice. Teaming up with Crime Stoppers, the department is offering cash rewards for tips leading to arrests, urging anyone with information to step forward.
