A 22-year-old man, Damien McDaniel, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with three cases in Birmingham, Alabama. This includes a mass shooting that occurred last month in the city's lively entertainment district, leaving four people dead and 17 others wounded. McDaniel faces one count of capital murder and 17 counts of first-degree assault in the September 21 mass shooting, according to the Birmingham Police Department.
The victims of the mass shooting were identified as Anitra Holloman, Tahj Booker, Carlos McCain, and Roderick Patterson Jr. McDaniel is currently held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond, and it is unclear if he has legal representation at this time.
Police Chief Scott Thurmond did not disclose specific details about the allegations against McDaniel, but confirmed his arrest in connection with the deaths of the four individuals killed during the attack. The investigation is ongoing, and it is uncertain if there are additional suspects involved in the case.
McDaniel is also charged with murder in two other cases. On September 19, he allegedly killed Diontranet Brown at the 604 Bar and Lounge, and within 24 hours of the mass shooting, he was connected to the shooting death of Jamarcus McIntyre. Three other suspects have also been charged in connection with McIntyre's case.
Following the arrest, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin expressed a commitment to seeking justice for the victims of the mass shooting. The mayor emphasized the city's determination to apprehend all individuals responsible for the heinous crime.
Gun violence has been a growing concern in Birmingham, with the mayor describing it as reaching an 'epidemic level.' The incident is one of over 420 mass shootings recorded in the United States so far this year, according to a Violence Archive.
While national crime rates have been decreasing, Birmingham experienced a spike in murder rates earlier this year. FBI data indicated a significant drop in murder rates nationally in the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. However, Birmingham reported a 41.7% increase in murders during the same period this year.
