An alleged massive gun battle took place in Birmingham on Wednesday evening leaving one man dead. Authorities say at least 40 shots from various weapons were fired in the densely populated Kingston community.
At approximately 9:40 p.m., police were in the Kingston area when they heard a large amount of gunfire being discharged. South Precinct Officer Truman Fitzgerald said that at the same time, Shot Spotter, a gunshot detection system that uses microphones and sensors to locate and alert law enforcement of gunfire, notified authorities of shots fired in the 4600 block of Roscoe Avenue. When officers arrived at the location, they found 22-year-old Demarious Antwon Cherry lying unresponsive in a grassy field. Birmingham Fire and Rescue pronounced Cherry dead on the scene.
Police have not determined if Cherry was an innocent bystander or if he was involved in the shooting. A crowd was in the area when police arrived on the chaotic scene, but they quickly scattered, according to Officer Fitzgerald. It is still unclear what caused the gunfight to start.
The killing marked the fifth slaying in the city since last Friday. Birmingham tragically has already had 13 homicides this year, and Jefferson County’s total is up to 20. Sadly, this is the same community that had a similar tragedy occur in 2023 when Juanderius Woods was shot dead during a gun battle where 90 shots were fired.
Alabama’s legislators are now in session and are considering measures that could reduce the number of gun-related crimes in an attempt to prevent further tragedies.
No arrests have been made so far. Fitzgerald stressed the importance of the community being willing to come forward and provide the department with any information that could lead to an arrest.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Birmingham Police Department or CrimeStoppers.
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sablevins@farmerstel.com.
