Social Media Posts Report Random Gunfire In Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Social media has been active with reports by Birmingham residents of random gunfire in several neighborhoods. Although unconfirmed, the posts have prompted the Birmingham Police Department to place extra patrol on the streets.

Birmingham City Councilman Hunter Williams said he has reached out to the mayor's office regarding the reports. :Over the past two days we have seen some Facebook posts regarding shootings on the East side of Birmingham— particularly, on the Parkway in Centerpoint," Williams said. "While we did not actually receive any direct phone calls or emails regarding these, we did reach out to the mayors office (for BPD) as well as Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for updates and patrol increase. A plan of action for increased uniformed and undercover patrol has been in place."

Williams urged citizens to contact police if they hear gunshots, rather than just post about the incidents on social media. "While, Facebook is an excellent way to keep your neighbors informed of activity happening in your neighborhoods, please remember that if you see or experience a crime taking place, the best thing to do is to call the police and make an official report so that BPD can send officers to the scene to investigate," Williams said. "In light of this weekend’s activity, Birmingham Police and the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office have been working together to prevent this suspect from continuing to threaten, intimidate and fire at innocent citizens who reside in that area."

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There were two instances last week where motorists were shot - randomly - in the Center Point area, with one of those shootings resulting in the death of 28-year-old Carltez “Tez” Clark. Investigators later learned from the Jefferson County Sheriff's office that a similar shooting happened on Old Springville Road about ten minutes before Clark was shot. In that instance, a mother and her children were fired upon while stopped at a traffic light.

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