BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A man is dead and another person is behind bars following a deadly double shooting in downtown Birmingham on Friday evening, an incident partially captured on video and now under active investigation. The victim, identified as Tj Arnold, died after being shot during the altercation.
Birmingham Police said the violence erupted around 5:50 p.m. on August 8 in the 1400 block of 1st Avenue North. Multiple 911 calls reported a flurry of gunfire in the area near a gas station.
When officers arrived, they found two victims — Arnold and a woman — suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were quickly treated at the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue before being rushed to UAB Hospital. Arnold suffered life-threatening injuries and later died. The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover.
According to investigators, the shooting stemmed from “an interaction” between the victims and a separate suspect, which escalated into gunfire. Specific details of that interaction have not been publicly released.
The following morning, August 9, at about 9 a.m., Birmingham Police located and arrested the suspect. The individual’s name has not yet been released pending formal charges.
Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald said the location of the shooting is a well-known hotspot for crime and that law enforcement has been actively monitoring it.
“Our command staff has been receiving numerous complaints in the general area of criminal activity and other type of activity taking place,” Fitzgerald stated. “We’ve deployed numerous resources to the area in an attempt to curtail the criminal activity, so this was a problem that our command staff knew about, and this was a problem that command staff did their best to address.”
He added that even more police resources will be sent to the area in the days ahead as part of efforts to increase safety and prevent further violence.
Police are urging anyone with information about the incident — or with additional video footage — to contact the Birmingham Police Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Tipsters may remain anonymous, and information that leads to an arrest could result in a cash reward.
Arnold’s death marks yet another chapter in Birmingham’s ongoing struggle with gun violence, a problem police say they are working diligently to address through targeted enforcement and community engagement.
Do you want me to also add the suspect’s name and charges once they’re released? That could make this piece ready for a final news publication.
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