Honestly, walking through Five Points South on a weekday morning feels a world away from the headlines that usually flash across your phone. You see the usual: students from UAB grabbing coffee, people walking dogs, the general hum of a city that’s trying its best to move forward. But then you check the news. You see another report of a shooting in Birmingham today, and that quiet morning vibe feels a little more fragile.
It's been a heavy start to 2026. Just a few days ago, on January 4th, the city recorded its first homicide of the year. A man was found shot in his car off First Avenue South. It wasn't some random spray of bullets in a crowd; police think he actually knew the person or was there to meet someone. That’s the thing about gun violence here—it’s rarely just one "type" of crime. It’s a mix of targeted hits, domestic tragedies, and the lingering shadow of mass events that keep people looking over their shoulders.
People are still talking about the 37% reduction in celebratory gunfire that the BPD reported after New Year’s. The City Council is skeptical. You can’t really blame them. When you live in a neighborhood where the sound of pops at night is a regular occurrence, a "37% drop" feels like a statistic from a different planet.
What's actually happening with the shooting in Birmingham today?
If you're looking for a simple answer, you won't find one. The reality is messy. Take the incident on the Northeast Side or the reports coming out of the West Midlands for those who might be confusing the two Birminghams. In our Birmingham—the one in Alabama—the violence is often hyper-localized. We aren't just seeing random acts; we're seeing the fallout of long-standing disputes.
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Recently, the Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit has been working overtime. Just yesterday, federal sentences were handed down for violent robberies that involved Birmingham residents like Spirit Hooks. It shows that while the shootings grab the headlines, there is a massive, quiet effort behind the scenes to pull the "repeat players" off the streets.
The Five Points South Shadow
We have to talk about Five Points. Ever since the mass shooting outside the Hush lounge back in late 2024—where over 100 shell casings were found—the conversation has changed. Chief Scott Thurmond was pretty blunt back then, calling it a "hit." That event didn't just kill four people; it killed a sense of security in the city's premier entertainment district.
Even today, when you hear about a shooting in Birmingham today, the first question everyone asks is: "Was it at Five Points?" The city has ramped up patrols, but the trauma of "fully automatic" gunfire in a place where people go to eat pasta and listen to jazz doesn't just go away. It’s why Mayor Randall Woodfin keeps calling this an "epidemic crisis." He’s not just using a buzzword; he’s describing a city that feels like it’s in a constant state of triage.
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More than just shell casings
It’s easy to get lost in the numbers. 175 months in prison for one guy. 144 for another. But then you hear about a child—like the 8-year-old recently airlifted to UAB Hospital after a gunshot wound. Whether it was accidental or not, that’s a kid whose life is permanently altered.
The violence isn't just "crime." It's a public health emergency. U.S. Surgeon General Murthy said it, and locally, the sentiment is the same. We are seeing guns being stolen from cars at three times the rate they were a decade ago. Think about that. Every time someone leaves a Glock in a glove box, they’re potentially arming the next person involved in a shooting in Birmingham today.
Why the "Most Dangerous City" label is complicated
You’ll see the YouTube "Hood Tours" claiming Birmingham is the most dangerous city in the state. Kinda sensationalist? Yeah. Entirely wrong? Also, arguably, no. But it misses the nuance.
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- Jurisdictional Teamwork: We’re seeing more arrests now because the FBI, the Madison County Sheriff, and the BPD are actually talking to each other. The arrest of Vincent Louis Henderson is a prime example—crimes that started in Huntsville often have roots right here in Birmingham.
- The "Hit" Culture: Police are increasingly dealing with targeted assassinations rather than random robberies. This means if you aren't involved in "the life," your statistical risk is lower, but the fear of crossfire remains high.
- Technology vs. Reality: The city is leaning hard on Flock cameras and ShotSpotter. These tools help police get to the scene faster, but they don't stop the finger from pulling the trigger in the first place.
How to stay informed and stay safe
It sounds cynical to say "get used to it," so don't do that. Instead, stay aware of the specific areas where the BPD is reporting activity. The Southeast Lake area and Kingston have seen recent spikes. If you're heading out to the entertainment districts, stick to the main drags.
The best way to track a shooting in Birmingham today is through the BPD's official social media updates or local outlets like WBRC and WVTM13, which often have reporters on the ground before the yellow tape is even up.
Check the Birmingham Police Department’s "Crime Mapping" portal. It’s a bit clunky, but it gives you a raw look at what’s happening on your specific block. If you have information about a recent incident, use the Crime Stoppers line (205-254-7777). You can stay anonymous, and honestly, with the way things are going, "seeing something and saying something" is one of the few ways to break the cycle of retaliatory violence that defines so many of these cases.
Keep your car doors locked and never, ever leave a firearm in a vehicle. It’s the number one way guns are hitting the black market in Alabama right now. Stay sharp, look out for your neighbors, and don't let the headlines make you cynical—just make them make you prepared.
Next Steps for Residents:
Monitor the Birmingham Police Department’s Daily Briefing and sign up for Everbridge alerts through the city's website to receive real-time notifications about active crime scenes or public safety threats in your immediate zip code.