BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Birmingham Police are actively investigating a shooting that occurred Thursday evening on 1st Avenue Northwhich resulted in one person being hospitalized. The incident has prompted city officials and local business owners to express their concerns about public safety in the area.
According to reports, the shooting happened around 6:30 pm in the 2300 block of 1st Avenue North. Officers responded to multiple shots fired and discovered a man with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. The victim was taken to a local hospital and is expected to survive.
Residents and workers in the vicinity expressed their concern after the incident. A resident named Alec noted, “It’s not the first time it’s happened here downtown.”
One woman, who did not want to give her name, said: “It’s very worrying especially as we have to work in this area and we’re walking these roads all the time.”
In response to the shooting, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin took to social media to voice his concerns about a new nightclub, Privilege, set to open on the same block as former establishments Cru Lounge and Casanova Nightclub.
“The privilege should not be opened. “Even before they open, I have no confidence that the other patrons of the existing businesses, the future customers of their business and most importantly the residents of that block and the surrounding area will be safe,” said Mayor Woodfin.
Victor King, owner of The Essential, a restaurant on 1st Avenue North, shared his concerns.
“It’s been relatively quiet since Cru and Casanova left and now here we are, Privilege is about to open and it’s already starting to come back.” He added, “It’s just unfortunate that it has to be the same type of business that seems to attract these types, these issues.”
Privilege responded to the mayor’s comments, in a statement saying the following;
“The current police force and its level of involvement is not enough to contain the challenges facing the city. The recent shooting in downtown Birmingham underscores the pressing issue that the Birmingham Police Department is understaffed, leaving the community vulnerable to brazen criminal acts.
“The fact that the shooting happened at a busy time of day is alarming. It highlights the lack of care for those who commit these violent acts, along with the lack of sworn police officers in the city of Birmingham to properly protect its citizens. The problem is not business locations; it’s a city-wide issue, with fears spreading beyond the downtown area. Criminals are emboldened because they don’t fear the police, and the city needs to address this by increasing the number of sworn officers and rebuilding public trust.”
The Birmingham Police Department has not confirmed any connection between the shooting and the nightclub. Authorities are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. Bob Copus, executive director of Metro Alabama CrimeStoppers, noted that both individuals and businesses can report tips anonymously and may be eligible for rewards. He noted the importance of video evidence in investigations, but warned that such footage could inadvertently reveal the source.
“If we think it’s going to expose the person taking the video, we’ll send them a message saying we’re going to take this to law enforcement, but your identity can be compromised and some people don’t care, they want to get it . video there,” Copus explained.
Get news alerts on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.
Copyright 2025 WBRC. All rights reserved.
