One person died and multiple people were injured in a shooting near Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, Birmingham police said, according to The Birmingham Times. The shooting took place shortly after 7:50 pm Saturday, October 31, hours after the Magic City Classic football game, per ABC.
Police initially said that the shooting happened near the 400 block of Graymont Avenue. Officers and detectives were investigating. Police could not confirm the victims’ conditions.
Police have not revealed how many people were injured and what led to the shooting. They have also not revealed whether a suspect has been identified. The Birmingham Police Department said that it would brief the media as soon as more information becomes available.
Magic City Classic tailgating suspended
Birmingham police suspended all Magic City Classic tailgating after the shooting. Police demanded that everyone leave the stadium property as soon as possible. They also urged people not to come to Legion Field.
“All Magic City Classic tailgating has been suspended. Everyone needs to leave the stadium property as soon as possible. Please do not come to the Legion Field stadium property at this time. The Birmingham Police Department will provide updated information as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation,” Birmingham Police Department, Alabama, wrote on Facebook.
Gunfire has been reported in the past near Legion Field during previous Classic weekends, according to ABC. An individual was shot in a parking lot near Graymont Avenue and Center Street after the game in 2014. At the time, the person’s injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to ABC 33/40’s archive.
On October 25, 2024, the day before that year’s game, Birmingham police responded to two shootings near Legion Field. The two separate incidents took place an hour apart.
An individual was wounded in a shooting at a residence in the 800 block of Seventh Street West, with police saying the injuries were not life-threatening. The other shooting was reported in the 200 block of Eighth Avenue West.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin shared a statement on Facebook after the shooting.
“Our community is hurt, shaken and rightfully angry. So am I,” he wrote. “There is no argument, no beef, no misunderstanding that can justify this level of senseless violence during a night of celebration. But hear me clearly: We refuse to let fear shake the spirit of this community. Justice will be served to those who brought harm to those at one of our most treasured events.”
Woodfin added, “The Magic City Classic is rooted in HBCU tradition, and at the heart of those traditions is family. Tonight, as a family, we grieve. We wrap our arms around neighbors who are dealing with unimaginable pain right now. And just like family, we will stand united as we overcome this tragic night. While this crime is under an active investigation, we will not let up until we achieve swift justice for this senseless violence.”