James Griffin: Difference between revisions
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'''James William Griffin''', sometimes known as '''Street James''' or '''The Mayor of First Avenue''' (born c. [[1958]]; died [[August 17]], [[2016]] in [[Birmingham]]) was a homeless man known for washing cars and riding a bicycle in the downtown area, especially around the [[Loft District]]. | '''James William Griffin''', sometimes known as '''Street James''' or '''The Mayor of First Avenue''' (born c. [[1958]]; died [[August 17]], [[2016]] in [[Birmingham]]) was a homeless man known for washing cars and riding a bicycle in the downtown area, especially around the [[Loft District]]. | ||
Griffin said that he had settled in Birmingham after touring with a circus. He befriended and exasperated numerous residents, business owners, and other persons who frequented the downtown area, including [[Dan Sartain]], [[Melissa Kendrick]] and [[Chatham Hellmers]]. | Griffin said that he had settled in Birmingham after touring with a circus. He befriended and exasperated numerous residents, business owners, and other persons who frequented the downtown area, including [[Dan Sartain]], [[Melissa Kendrick]] and [[Chatham Hellmers]]. His self-built shelter under an expressway bridge was documented by photographer [[Melissa Springer]] in her [[1997]] book, ''[[Important Things]]''. | ||
Griffin was found [[List of Birmingham homicides in 2016|dead from a gunshot wound]] to the arm near a mattress under the [[Elton B. Stephens Expressway]] on the 600 block of [[Carraway Boulevard]]. No suspect has been identified. | Griffin was found [[List of Birmingham homicides in 2016|dead from a gunshot wound]] to the arm near a mattress under the [[Elton B. Stephens Expressway]] on the 600 block of [[Carraway Boulevard]]. No suspect has been identified. | ||
Revision as of 12:35, 19 August 2016
James William Griffin, sometimes known as Street James or The Mayor of First Avenue (born c. 1958; died August 17, 2016 in Birmingham) was a homeless man known for washing cars and riding a bicycle in the downtown area, especially around the Loft District.
Griffin said that he had settled in Birmingham after touring with a circus. He befriended and exasperated numerous residents, business owners, and other persons who frequented the downtown area, including Dan Sartain, Melissa Kendrick and Chatham Hellmers. His self-built shelter under an expressway bridge was documented by photographer Melissa Springer in her 1997 book, Important Things.
Griffin was found dead from a gunshot wound to the arm near a mattress under the Elton B. Stephens Expressway on the 600 block of Carraway Boulevard. No suspect has been identified.
References
- Robinson, Carol (August 19, 2016) "Homicide victim found dead in Birmingham homeless camp now identified." The Birmingham News