A shooting near Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, left one person dead and eight others wounded on Saturday night shortly after the conclusion of the annual Magic City Classic football matchup, authorities said.
Officers responded shortly after 7:50 p.m. local time to reports of gunfire along the 400 block of Graymont Avenue, where street vendors had set up outside the stadium, according to the Birmingham Police Department. Nine individuals suffered gunshot wounds in total. One victim died from their injuries, one remained hospitalized in critical condition, and seven others were reported in stable condition, police spokesperson De’Rell Freeman told reporters.
Gunfire Erupts Near Postgame Festivities
The violence broke out after nearly 70,000 spectators attended the 85th meeting between historically Black archrivals Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University. Alabama A&M won the contest 31-28. Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett noted that while the majority of spectators and families had departed the stadium grounds, the shooting unfolded nearby as crowds lingered in the surrounding neighborhood.
Pickett indicated that investigators believe the incident involved two separate parties, describing the confrontation as two distinct acts of violence. He expressed gratitude that the casualty count was not higher given the size of the gathering.
“Everyone knows this is the largest event we have here in the city and it’s extremely taxing on our personnel. Other leaders in law enforcement recognize that and they quickly offered up support and we are grateful for that quick response,” Pickett said.
Pickett praised responding officers who rushed toward the gunfire, noting that law enforcement personnel provided immediate medical aid to the wounded while advancing directly into danger.
Investigation and Detentions
Police confirmed that one person was taken into custody and transported to police headquarters for questioning. Investigators also located and secured multiple firearms at the scene, Freeman said. Authorities had not publicly named the detained individual, identified any suspects, or released the names of the victims as of Sunday evening.
A motive for the gunfire remains undetermined, and the Birmingham Police Department stated that an active investigation is ongoing to establish how the dispute began and whether additional people were involved.
Concerns Around Stadium Crowds
The annual game between Alabama A&M and Alabama State has been played for over a century, ranking among the largest historically Black college and university events in the country. The broader weekend festivities routinely draw tens of thousands of visitors to Birmingham.
The incident represents the second time in consecutive weeks that gun violence broke out around a major college football gathering, Yahoo Sports reported. On Oct. 24, 11 people were injured in a shooting outside Bragg Memorial Stadium following Florida A&M University’s homecoming game in Tallahassee, Florida, where local officials said an argument escalated into gunfire on a crowded adjacent street.
Birmingham authorities have urged anyone with information, photos, or video recordings of the incident along Graymont Avenue to reach out to police as the investigation continues.
