Shooting near Magic City Classic leaves one dead, eight hurt

One person died and at least eight others were injured in a shooting Saturday night near the Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Alabama. The event, described by officials as the largest historically Black college and university football game in the country, saw officers respond to the 400 block of Graymont Avenue around 7:50 p.m. Birmingham Police Department personnel suspended all tailgating in the area upon arrival.

Investigators recovered multiple firearms at the scene. One individual was detained and transported to police headquarters for questioning. As of early Sunday morning, authorities reported that one victim remained in critical condition. Seven other victims were listed in stable condition. No police officers or first responders were injured in the incident.

Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett called the shooting a senseless act of violence. He noted that the event places a heavy demand on city staff. Pickett said other law enforcement leaders quickly offered support for the large turnout. He expressed gratitude for the rapid response from those partners.

Chief Pickett praised the officers who responded to the gunfire. He described them as true heroes who displayed courage and resilience. He noted that officers ran toward the direction of the shots to check on people. They triaged victims and provided aid while moving closer to the gunfire source. Pickett stated that the officers were able to return to their families that night.

The shooting occurred during the tailgating period for the Magic City Classic. Police managed the scene on Graymont Avenue. The detained individual remained at police headquarters for questioning. The critical victim stayed in serious condition. The seven stable victims were monitored by medical staff.

Police confirmed no officers were hit in the line of duty. The investigation into the multiple firearms continued. The tailgating suspension remained in effect during the initial response. The event concluded with the incident on the books for the city's largest football gathering.