Birmingham shootings: Two gunfights near Legion Field leave one dead

One teenager is dead and eight others are injured after two shootings erupted near Legion Field in Birmingham on Saturday night. The violence occurred in the hours following the annual Magic City Classic, an event that draws thousands of fans to the city for the Alabama A&M versus Alabama State football rivalry.

Birmingham police reported the first incident around 8:00 p.m. in the tailgate area outside the stadium. That shooting left six people injured. At 8:08 p.m., officers responded to a second call across from the stadium along Graymont Avenue. Three more people were shot in that second incident.

The victim who died was a 17-year-old named Thomas, a 2026 graduate of Parker High School. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:24 p.m. during the second shooting. One other victim remains in critical condition. Most spectators had left the stadium grounds by the time the gunfire started, though the violence spread to areas near vendors set up along Graymont Avenue.

Police have not determined if the two shootings are connected. A 17-year-old suspect is in custody after being found with a firearm equipped with a Glock conversion switch. Authorities have not announced any formal charges. Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett said officers ran toward the gunfire to assist victims.

Pickett called the officers true heroes for their courage in triaging people while moving toward the shots. Mayor Randall Woodfin condemned the violence in a statement, describing the shootings as senseless. The response involved the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Vestavia Hills Police Department, FBI Birmingham, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The game ended with an Alabama A&M victory over Alabama State by a score of 31 to 28. The Magic City Classic has been held at Legion Field for more than a century. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the two separate shootings.