An Alabama man, 22-year-old Damien McDaniel, pleaded not guilty in state court to charges of homicide in two separate mass shootings that occurred in Birmingham last year. McDaniel is accused of killing 11 people and injuring 29 others between July and September, accounting for over 7% of all homicides in the city in 2024.
McDaniel's lawyer stated that he has not seen any evidence in the case and emphasized the importance of a fair process to protect his client's rights. Eight of the 11 capital murder charges against McDaniel are related to two mass shootings that took place outside Birmingham nightclubs in July and September. Another individual, Hatarius Woods, was also charged in connection with the July shooting.
The September mass shooting involved multiple shooters, according to the Birmingham police department, which is still investigating the incident. In total, Birmingham experienced three mass shootings in 2024, contributing to a record-high of 151 homicides for the year.
McDaniel is additionally accused of three separate fatal shootings that occurred on different days in August and September, bringing the total number of homicides attributed to him to 11. The Birmingham Police Department expressed concern over the impact of these crimes on the city's reputation, emphasizing the need to address the actions of a few individuals responsible for the violence.
