2008 Birmingham homicides
This is a List of Birmingham homicides in 2008. It includes homicide cases occuring within the city limits during the calendar year. Note that a "homicide" refers to the cause of death as determined by a medical examiner, not to the commission of the crime of murder as charged by police and prosecutors.
With 12 homicides up to February 13, the city is on pace for 100 in 2008. Based on the 2006 census estimate of 229,424 population, that represents 43.6 homicides per 100,000 population for the year. Birmingham had 93 homicides in 2007, 109 in 2006, and a record of 141 in 1992.
Birmingham is averaging 8.3 homicides per month, or one every 3.7 days. The longest stretch without a homicide was 20 days between January 24 and February 13.
Of the 12 reported homicides, suspects have been identified in at least 9 cases, apprehended in 8, and charged in 7.
8 of the 12 reported homicides were shootings, one a stabbing and one a beating death. Another, resulting from a struggle with a security guard in December 2007, was ruled a homicide during 2008.
5 deadly incidents occurred on the street, 5 in private homes.
9 of the victims were male and 3 were female. One case appeared to be a domestic dispute, 5 resulted from arguments, 2 appeared to be home invasions, one a case of mistaken identity, one a struggle following a suspected theft, and the remaining 2 cases had no reported motive.
Listing by date
- January 2: Winifred Jathea Bryant, 25, was forced into a car at gunpoint outside an apartment complex on the 200 block of 52nd Street North in Woodlawn (map). She was shot in the head when she tried to esacape Her car was in the street with the engine running and her 7-year-old son inside. Arthur Lee Kirksey, the boy's father, was charged with capital murder, and arrested while in hiding at his mothers house three days later. [1]
- January 3: Grace A. Garner, 85, found bludgeoned to death in her home at 7735 1st Avenue South in East Lake (map). The front door was forced open and the home ransacked. A $10,000 award has been offered by Barber's Dairy for information leading to an arrest. [2]
- January 3: Dameon T. "Tiger" Harris, 28, found shot on the 1300 block of 29th Street North (map). Another gunshot victim was admitted to Physicians Medical Center Carraway and may have been involved in the shooting. A woman was taken into custody, but has not been charged. [3]
- January 4: Evangelist Caffery D. Woods, 49, shot in her SUV parked behind a duplex on the 7400 block of 2nd Avenue South (map). Her mother, Mattie Mae Woods, 88, was shot several times as well, but survived. No arrests. [4]
- January 9: Lonzel Davis, 57, shot in his kitchen at 537 Antwerp Avenue in Gate City (map). Housemate Knikita Aydelotte, who claimed to have found the body, was charged with capital murder after police found evidence in her car. [5]
- January 10: Charles Benson, 38, found shot on a sofa in a garage behind a house at 817 5th Way in Pratt City (map), apparently in a dispute over a $2,500 debt. Michael Willis was charged with intentional murder. [6]
- January 12: Fredric "Micky" Rogers, 31, found inside a burning Cadillac at the intersection of Jersey Street and 15th Avenue in Wylam (map). The Jefferson County coroner determined that Rogers died by gunshot.
- January 13: Anthony Lett, 36, of Huntsville was fatally shot during a dispute which followed King's death during an illegal drag race on Republic Boulevard near Avenue W in the Pratt community (map). Lett was one of the race organizers and was holding at least $10,000 in purse money when he was shot. Ladipo Bethea, of Gretna, Florida has been charged with capital murder, but remains at large. [7]
- January 23: Herman Pride, 65, found dead inside his house at 1325 17th Way Southwest near Davis Court (map). The victims 1998 green Ford Windstar van was missing. No arrest. [8]
- January 23: Aurelius Harris, 24, found shot on the 7700 block of 7th Avenue South (map). Courtney Austin, with whom the victim had a dispute, was arrested and charged with capital murder on January 28. [9]
- January 24: Darryl Shelton, 47, was stabbed in his home at 1008 15th Way Southwest (map). Myron Young was taken into custody at the scene and later charged with murder. [10]
- January 31: Larry Armstead, 40, died on December 15, 2007 after struggling with a security guard who chased him from St Vincent's Medical Center to the alley behind the 2500 block of 9th Court South the previous afternoon. Although Armstead had a pre-existing heart condition and evidence of cocaine in his blood, the Jefferson County Coroner's Office ruled on January 31, 2008 that the death was a homicide. The case will be presented to the Jefferson County District Attorney to decide whether charges will be filed. [11]
Responses
Members of the National Stop the Violence Coalition and Alabama Youth Against Violence staged a rally at Five Points West on January 12, prompted by the rising murder rate. (Bryant - Jan. 12)
Starting with a February 8 rally, Mayor Larry Langford and co-director of the Mayor's Office of Citizen's Assistance Frank Matthews launched a campaign, Plan 10/30, to involve African American men as leaders in turning their communities away from violence. Only black men were invited to the first meeting at Fair Park Arena, which focused on personal responsibility. (Bryant - Feb. 4)
References
- Breaking News from the Birmingham News
- Bryant, Walter and Dawn Kent (January 12, 2008) "Update: Victim in burned car is city's 7th homicide." Birmingham News
- Bryant, Joseph D. (February 4, 2008) "Langford plan has sights set on crime." Birmingham News
External links
- Birmingham Homicides 2008. Google Map by the Birmingham News Toraine Norris