Four individuals were killed and another 17 were injured in a late-night shooting outside Hush Lounge, a well-known nightclub in Birmingham, Alabama’s historic Five Points South entertainment district, on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Per Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond, an unidentified number of assailants arrived in a vehicle, fired at the crowd, and fled the scene. The initial investigation points to a targeted attack on a specific individual, with some suggesting a potential financial motive behind the shooting.
The deceased victims—Anitra Holloman, 21, Tahj Booker, 27, Carlos McCain, 27, and Roderick Lynn Patterson Jr., 26—were among the 21 individuals shot. The injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, with 11 being treated at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. Several remained in critical condition.
Birmingham’s Mayor, Randall Woodfin, expressed his condemnation of the shooting. He noted the city’s ongoing issue with gun violence and stressed the need for stricter gun control measures.
Survivor Gabriel Eslami, 24, described the terrifying scene. He was waiting outside the club when gunfire erupted. After being hit in the leg, he fell to the ground amid the chaos. He described seeing bodies on the sidewalk, gun smoke in the air, and discarded shoes belonging to those who fled in fear. The authorities are now reviewing security camera footage to identify the culprits.
Eslami was taken to the hospital by a friend who was also injured in the shooting. Doctors informed him that the bullet that hit him narrowly missed vital arteries by a few millimeters. While he is grateful for his survival, he acknowledges the tragic loss of those who did not survive the incident.
The Birmingham Police Department is leading the investigation with assistance from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. They are appealing to witnesses and businesses with security footage to assist with the investigation.
The FBI’s involvement indicates the possibility of federal charges against the suspects, especially considering the potential illegal use of an automatic weapon. The investigators are probing whether a machine gun conversion device, which can illegally transform a semi-automatic firearm into an automatic one, was utilized.
This incident marks the second mass shooting in Birmingham this year. In July, a similar event occurred, causing four fatalities. The Birmingham Police Department is collaborating with federal agencies to address the rising violence in the city.
In the wake of another deadly shooting, Birmingham residents are gripped with fear and apprehension. Community leaders are calling for peace and cooperation in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Birmingham authorities have offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspects.
