One Killed, Eight Wounded in Shooting Near Legion Field After Magic City Classic

Nine people were shot near Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, on Saturday night after the 85th Magic City Classic. One died. Eight others were wounded.

Birmingham police said officers responded shortly after 7:50 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, to the 400 block of Graymont Avenue West and found multiple gunshot victims. Police spokesperson De'Rell Freeman said one person was confirmed dead, one victim was in critical condition and seven others were stable.

What police have said

"Multiple firearms were recovered from the scene by officers and turned into our property room," Freeman said at a press conference.

One person was detained and taken to Birmingham police headquarters for questioning. Freeman called it an active scene with developing information. As of Sunday morning, Nov. 1, police have not publicly named a suspect or announced any arrests. The victims have not been identified publicly.

Police have not said what set off the shooting. They have not said whether the person in custody is a suspect or how many people fired.

Where it happened

The game itself was over. Alabama A&M beat rival Alabama State 31-28 in the annual matchup between the state's two largest historically Black universities. Police Chief Michael Pickett said most spectators and families had already left the stadium property when the shooting started.

"This did occur after the game," Pickett said. "For the most part, it was off of the property."

The shooting took place on a stretch of street where vendors were set up. Tailgating was still underway nearby, according to the Birmingham Times. Police later suspended all remaining tailgating, ordered everyone off stadium property and told the public to stay away from Legion Field.

Pickett said he was "very grateful that more people weren't injured." Nearly 70,000 fans attended the game, according to the Guardian. The event's website says the full weekend typically draws more than 100,000 people to the city, with a parade and large tailgates in addition to the game.

The strain on the city

Pickett said the Classic is the largest event in Birmingham and is "extremely taxing" on police personnel. He said other law enforcement agencies quickly offered help. Local reports say the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the FBI are assisting the investigation.

Pickett praised his officers as "true heroes" for running toward the gunfire and treating the wounded.

The mayor's response

Mayor Randall Woodfin posted a statement late Saturday saying the community was "hurt, shaken and rightfully angry. So am I."

"There is no argument, no beef, no misunderstanding that can justify this level of senseless violence during a night of celebration," Woodfin said. He added that the community would not let fear shake its spirit and promised "swift justice."

He noted that the Classic is rooted in HBCU tradition and that family is at the heart of those traditions.

A second shooting at an HBCU event in a week

The violence came one week after a mass shooting near Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. Shots were fired during a fight there, and 11 people were wounded, including six juveniles. A 15-year-old is set to be charged as an adult in that case. Nothing in the Birmingham case has been linked to Tallahassee, and no motive has been given in either city's case beyond the Tallahassee fight.

What happens next

Birmingham police are asking anyone with video from before, during or after the shooting to submit it. Police set up an online portal that allows anonymous submissions.

Whether the person detained Saturday night is charged, or released without charges, will be the first sign of where the investigation stands. Police have also not said whether any of the recovered firearms have been tied to the shooting.