7 murdered and 10 wounded in Birmingham that police officials says were "targeted" slayings

Seven people were slain and ten were wounded Saturday in two events in Birmingham. On Sunday Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond and Mayor Randall Woodfin said that the two events were "targeted" shootings.

Birmingham Councilwoman Latonya Tate, Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway, members of the US Attorney's Office, US Marshalls, Secret Service, FBI, and ATF also attended the news conference.

"The last 24 hours, we lost seven community members, and 10 others were injured by gun violence. This is terribly unacceptable," stated Chief Thurmond. "We will not tolerate this behavior any longer in this city."

Thurmond said that all of Birmingham's detectives would be assigned to solving these two cases.

"For those who are responsible for those heinous crimes, I want you to know that we will be coming for you with full force with every piece of law enforcement that we have," Thurmand said. "We are doing everything we can to bring justice to these families and to restore safety and peace to our communities."

"The Birmingham Police Department, along with our federal partners, have one priority. That is simply to hunt down the people who committed these heinous acts in two separate incidents," said Woodfin. "The shooters deserve no safe harbor or haven from other community members."

"We know someone knows something or saw something," Woodfin said imploring the community to come forward. "We can take these shooters off our streets."

Thurmond said, "Too many families who have been devastated and destroyed because of gun violence in our city."

During an accident investigation at the 1700 block of Indian Summer Drive, officers found the bodies of three people: Landon Brooks, age 5, of Center Point; Arkia Berry, age 28, of Center Point, and Eric Ashley Jr, age 28, of Hoover.

Later that day, dispatchers received reports of multiple people gunned down at an event center, in the 3400 Block of 27th Street North. The first officers on the scene found the body of Stevie McGhee, age 39, of Birmingham man on the sidewalk outside the club. Inside the club they found two more bodies: Markeisha Gettings, age 39, of Birmingham and Angela Weatherspoon, age 56, of Center Point. 11 more people arrived at the hospital with gunshot wounds received at the attack on this club. One of the wounded has since died from their injuries. Some of the wounded are in critical condition.

Authorities say that the event began as a birthday party. A fight interrupted the party. Afterwards a shooter drove by the club and opened fire into the building killing and maiming haphazardly.

No one is in custody at this time in either of these attacks.

"The Birmingham Police Department stands with our community in this time of grief and loss as we have witnessed senseless acts of violence in the City of Birmingham. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and everyone affected," the Birmingham Police Department said in a statement. "In the face of such tragedy, we remain resolute in our mission to ensure justice for the victims. We are working tirelessly to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice. The Birmingham Police Department is dedicated to protecting our community and restoring a sense of safety and security. Your support and cooperation are essential in our efforts to create a safer Birmingham. If you have any information that can assist in our investigations, please come forward. Together, we will make a difference."

If you have any information about either of these incidents, please share it with the Birmingham Police Department.

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