News Summary
Ethan Carter, an 18-year-old football player from Michigan, survived being shot seven times during an attempted gun purchase in Birmingham, Alabama. The targeted attack, believed to be an attempt to rob him, left Carter with serious injuries. He was discharged from the hospital days later but faces a long recovery ahead. The Birmingham police are investigating, and authorities urge caution when buying firearms online. The attack has raised concerns for the Carter family, who are now reconsidering their ties to the city.
Birmingham, Alabama
An 18-year-old football player from Michigan, Ethan Carter, survived a harrowing shooting incident in Birmingham, Alabama, when he was shot seven times during an attempted gun purchase on Saturday evening around 6 p.m. The incident occurred near Winchester Drive and Ridgewood Circle in the Roebuck area, leaving Carter with serious injuries to his skull, hand, arm, and chest.
Carter was transported to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries but was discharged on Tuesday to continue his recovery at home. According to his father, Brian Carter, this shooting is believed to have been a targeted attack aimed at robbing and harming Ethan.
The Birmingham police are investigating the shooting, which appears to have originated from an arrangement made through a social media platform to purchase a Glock firearm. Authorities have stated that there was nothing illegal about the intended sale, but the circumstances of the meeting turned violent.
Background on Ethan Carter
Ethan recently graduated from Hudsonville High School in Michigan and is preparing to play football at Davenport University. He has been training in Birmingham since 2021, where he has developed a close relationship with a host family. Although his father typically accompanies him during his visits to the city, he was not present at the time of the incident.
On the day of the shooting, Ethan was en route to meet his father and sister in Louisville. Prior to the attack, a woman from the neighborhood cautioned him about trusting the seller, advising him to be wary. Ethan reportedly sensed that something was amiss before the assailants opened fire.
The Incident Details
After being shot, Ethan managed to escape from his vehicle and received assistance from bystanders. Unfortunately, the suspects then stole his car, which was later recovered by police after being burned.
As of now, no arrests have been made related to the shooting, and police have encouraged the public to steer clear of purchasing firearms through social media due to the potential risks involved.
The Carter family has expressed their concerns, indicating that Ethan is unlikely to return to Birmingham after this traumatic experience. The situation has been exacerbated by disturbing posts on social media that celebrated the attack, causing additional distress for the family.
Father’s Reflection and Call for Information
Brian Carter has acknowledged that while attempting to buy a gun was a grave mistake on Ethan’s part, he does not harbor anger towards his son and is grateful he survived the ordeal. The family is urging anyone with information about the shooting to reach out to Birmingham robbery detectives or Crime Stoppers.
This incident has brought to light the dangers associated with buying firearms through unregulated channels, underscoring the importance of safety and vigilance when dealing with online transactions.
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Additional Resources
- AL.com: Michigan Football Player Shot
- WBRC: Michigan Area Football Player Shot
- ABC 33/40: Birmingham Shooting Victim Identified
- Fox 17: Former Hudsonville Football Player Released
- Wood TV: Hudsonville Grad Shot During Robbery
- Wikipedia: Firearm
- Google Search: Birmingham shooting Ethan Carter
- Google Scholar: Birmingham gun violence
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Birmingham
- Google News: Birmingham shooting Ethan Carter
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
