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A horrific mass shooting shook Birmingham, Alabama, on Saturday night, leaving four people dead and 17 others injured in what authorities are calling a targeted "hit." The shooting occurred in the Five Points South entertainment district, known for its vibrant nightlife and proximity to the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
According to Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond, multiple shooters arrived at the scene just after 11 p.m., opened fire, and then fled. Investigators believe the gunmen were hired to kill a specific individual, who was among the four people who died. Unfortunately, other victims were caught in the crossfire.
As of now, no suspects have been arrested, and local authorities are collaborating with the FBI in their investigation. Police are also examining whether illegal gun conversion devices, known as "switches," were used. These devices can convert a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic weapon in under a minute, and are illegal under federal law.
The deadly shooting is the latest in a string of violent incidents plaguing Birmingham. Mayor Randall Woodfin has expressed deep concern over the city's rising gun violence, calling it an "epidemic." This latest tragedy adds to a growing list of mass shootings in the United States this year, with more than 400 recorded so far in 2024, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
The community is now grappling with the aftermath, as police continue to search for the culprits behind the attack. The victims' families and residents are left grieving yet another senseless act of violence in a city struggling to curb escalating crime.
