On the evening of Tuesday, April 9, 2024, a fatal shooting occurred in a quiet Birmingham, Alabama suburb. Anthony Lamar Love Jr., a 44-year-old UPS employee and father, was shot as he was ending his shift at the Ingelnook UPS facility. Local communities are in shock following the incident, sparking renewed fears about safety in the workplace, despite police statements suggesting the attack was not directly linked to his job.
Birmingham Police Department’s Sgt. Laquitta Wade described the emotional impact on Love Jr.’s colleagues and the local community, stating, “Some employees are very shaken up about what has happened here. They are scared about what has happened here.”
The Birmingham Police have revealed that the shooting was a targeted attack. While this detail provides some context, it doesn’t diminish the worry about sudden acts of violence. With the attacker still on the loose and no suspects in custody, the police are appealing to the public for information to help bring justice to Love Jr.’s family.
Love Jr.’s death has left his colleagues and family members who gathered at the scene in visible distress. The police have reassured the public that this appears to be a lone incident, posing no continued threat to the community. Sgt. Wade stated, “It’s devastating for the city and his family. We want to assure the public that no one else is in danger with this being a targeted attack.”
People who had interacted with Love during his delivery rounds remember him for his warmth and thoughtfulness. Cailyn Fikes, a hairstylist at The Nook, related how Love always greeted everyone with a smile and went the extra mile to deliver packages inside the salon, unlike other couriers.
Almost a decade ago, the same UPS facility witnessed a similar tragedy when workers Brian Callans and Doug Hutcheson were murdered by Joe Tesney, a former employee. On September 23, 2014, Tesney, wearing his UPS uniform, entered the facility and shot Callans and Hutcheson before killing himself. Investigations later indicated that Tesney’s actions were partly driven by a grudge against Hutcheson, who had recommended Tesney’s dismissal following a misconduct investigation.
Bob Copus, President of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama, is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. “It’s in everyone’s best interest to act. No one wishes to be part of a family grieving a violent death. By contacting Crime Stoppers, you play a part in preventing such tragedies,” Copus said. He assured that tipsters’ identities would be kept confidential. Information can also be given directly to the Birmingham Police Department.
