Birmingham, Alabama: One Person Killed and Several Wounded in Shooting Outside Legion Field After the Magic City Classic

Updated 08:01 UTC, Nov 1

Birmingham police said early on Sunday that one person had been detained and taken to police headquarters for processing after the shooting outside Legion Field. Officer De'Rell Freeman, the department's assistant public information officer, announced the detention at a news conference. Police have not said whether the person detained has been charged, and they have not identified that person or the person who was killed.

Police Chief Michael Pickett said one victim remained in critical condition and seven others were stable, confirming nine victims in total. Pickett said most spectators and families had already left the stadium property when the shots rang out shortly after 7:50 p.m. in the 400 block of Graymont Avenue West, where vendors were set up along the street. He said he was grateful that more people were not injured. Officers recovered multiple firearms at the scene and turned them over to the department's property room.

Pickett said the department is working with the FBI and partner agencies, and he renewed the appeal for video from anyone who was near the scene. "It may seem like it's nothing. It may seem insignificant. Please send it in," he said. Anyone with information can call the Birmingham police homicide unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell said the community deserves to celebrate its traditions in peace and safety, without fear of gun violence, and said her team is in contact with local law enforcement.

Updated 06:47 UTC, Nov 1

Birmingham police later confirmed nine victims in total. One person was killed, one victim was in critical condition, and seven were in stable condition. Officers recovered multiple firearms at the scene. Police had not publicly identified a suspect and had announced no arrests. The police count supersedes the early Birmingham Fire and Rescue figure of four people injured, reported by WVTM 13 in the first hours after the shooting.

One person was killed and several others were wounded on Saturday night when gunfire broke out outside Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, after the 85th Magic City Classic had ended. Birmingham police said the shooting happened at about 7:50 p.m. near the 400 block of Graymont Avenue West, outside the stadium, while fans were still gathered in the area following the game.

The Jefferson County Coroner's Office confirmed to AL.com that at least one victim had died. Birmingham Fire and Rescue initially reported that four people suffered injuries in the shooting, according to WVTM 13. Police had not released the names of any victims late on Saturday. Officer De'Rell Freeman of the Birmingham Police Department said police could not confirm the condition of any individual at that time.

On the field, Alabama A&M defeated Alabama State 31-28 to win the 85th edition of the rivalry. The shooting came more than an hour after the game ended, while celebrations and tailgating were still under way around the stadium. The Magic City Classic is the largest historically Black college and university football game in the United States, and it draws thousands of alumni, students and supporters to Birmingham each year for a weekend of football, parades and community gatherings.

Police clear the stadium grounds

Birmingham police suspended all Magic City Classic tailgating as soon as the shooting was reported and ordered everyone to leave the stadium property. In a public statement, the department said: "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." Officers cordoned off the area around Graymont Avenue while detectives began their investigation.

Mayor calls the shooting senseless

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin condemned the violence in a statement on Saturday night. "There is no argument, no beef, no misunderstanding that can justify this level of senseless violence during a night of celebration," he said. Woodfin said the Classic is rooted in HBCU tradition and family, adding: "Tonight, as a family, we grieve." He said the city would not let up until those responsible were brought to justice.

Investigators ask the public for video

Late on Saturday, Birmingham police asked anyone with video footage of the shooting to share it with investigators, and said people who submit recordings through the department's evidence portal will remain anonymous. Investigators had not publicly identified a suspect or announced a motive, and police had not established whether the shooting followed an altercation connected to the game or the festivities around it. The investigation is continuing, and police said further information would be released as it becomes available.