Birmingham Police Searching for a Person of Interest in Fatal Shooting
In a recent update from Birmingham, Alabama, the city’s police department is actively seeking the public’s aid in identifying a person of interest connected to a disturbing incident. The tragic event, a shooting spree that left one man dead and six others injured, unfolded in May 2024, and the case remains open with the perpetrator yet to be apprehended.
A Bloody Day Unfolds in Birmingham
The unfortunate event took place on Sunday, May 5, 2024. The Birmingham Police Department (BPD) reported shots fired in the 800 block of 3rd Avenue West, a Shell gas station. Responding to multiple gunshots in the early hours of the morning, officers from the north and west precincts found a white sedan that had crashed into a utility pole on arrival at the 700 block of 3rd Avenue.
Scene of Chaos
Amid the ensuing chaos, officers discovered David Isiah Westbrook inside the crashed vehicle. Unfortunately, despite Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services’ on-scene efforts, Westbrook was pronounced dead. The Jefferson County Coroner later confirmed Westbrook had suffered gunshot wounds.
Additional Victims
While officers attempted to secure both scenes, two men reported at Princeton Hospital with gunshot wounds arrived by private vehicle. An additional two men also suffering from gunshot wounds later surfaced at UAB Hospital, also admitted by private vehicle. A seventh victim, another man wounded by a gunshot, arrived at Princeton Hospital by private transport later, around 10:30 a.m. Police estimate that over a horrifying 150 rounds may have been fired during this incident, resulting in an alarming seven victims in total.
A Plea for Public Assistance
With no arrests made yet, Birmingham detectives are now seeking the public’s help in identifying a potential person of interest related to this case. As such, they have released images in a bid to hasten the identification process. The subject’s precise link to the shooting spree is not yet disclosed, but their identification is considered paramount to the ongoing investigation.
In a bid to encourage public involvement, a reward of up to $5,000 is being offered by Crime Stoppers for information leading to an arrest. Anyone recognizing the person of interest or possessing any information related to this case is urged to contact the BPD Homicide Detectives at 205-254-1753 or report to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
As the search continues for the person of interest, Birmingham residents await further updates while mourning the loss of Westbrook and hoping for the speedy recovery of the six injured victims.
*The identity of the person of interest and the events detailed herein are true as of the time of reporting and are subject to change as new information emerges.*
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.
