Alabama: A tragic mass shooting unfolded in Birmingham, on Saturday night when a group of alleged hitmen opened fire outside a hookah lounge, killing their intended target and three innocent bystanders. According to Birmingham police, the shooting occurred around 11 p.m. outside Hush, a hookah and cigar lounge located in the popular Five Points South nightlife district on Magnolia Avenue. In addition to the four fatalities, 17 others were wounded in the hail of bullets. The gunmen remain at large, and Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.
Targeted Hit Turns Deadly for Bystanders
The gunmen exited their vehicle and unleashed a barrage of bullets, hitting the intended target as well as three bystanders who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Police have not yet released the identities of the victims. Chief Thurmond expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, stating, “That’s 21 people whose lives were forever changed. Some families were destroyed, and others were altered in ways that can never be undone.” After the shooting, the suspects fled the scene, leaving chaos and devastation in their wake. First responders quickly arrived, and paramedics transported the injured to nearby hospitals. At this time, authorities have not provided updates on the conditions of the surviving victims.
Over 100 Shell Casings Recovered from the Scene
In the aftermath of the shooting, police recovered over 100 shell casings from automatic firearms, indicating the intensity of the attack. While the exact motive behind the hit remains unclear, investigators are working to piece together the circumstances leading to the violence. Chief Thurmond emphasized that the gunmen were focused solely on their target and not the location itself. “It wasn’t the lounge; it was the person they were after,” he said. “Unfortunately, innocent lives were taken in the process.”
Survivors Recount the Chaos
One of the survivors, Gabriel Eslami, 24, shared his harrowing experience with local news outlet AL.com. Eslami had been waiting in line to enter the bar with some high school friends when the gunfire erupted. “I thought at first they were just shooting at people in the front of the line, but then I realized they were shooting up the entire line,” Eslami recalled.
Eslami was shot in the left buttocks as he ran for safety. “I looked back and saw gun smoke and people’s bodies laid out on the pavement,” he said, describing the horrific scene. His car, which was parked in front of the lounge, was covered in blood from other victims. A friend with a graze wound to the arm helped rush Eslami to the hospital. The Birmingham Police Department is urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact them through their evidence submission portal or call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Authorities are hopeful that the community will come forward with leads to help apprehend the suspects responsible for the deadly attack.
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