Deadly Double Shooting in Downtown Birmingham Leaves One Man Dead, Suspect in Custody
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A man is dead and another individual is in custody after a fatal double shooting rattled downtown Birmingham on Friday evening. The incident, which unfolded during the busy late-afternoon hours, was partially caught on camera and is now the focus of an active police investigation.
The victim has been identified by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office as Tj Arnold, a Birmingham resident whose life was cut short in what authorities describe as a violent altercation. According to Birmingham Police, officers were dispatched around 5:50 p.m. on August 8 to the 1400 block of 1st Avenue North after multiple 911 calls reported gunfire in the area.
Upon arrival, first responders discovered two people suffering from gunshot wounds. Arnold was critically injured and, despite immediate life-saving measures by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The second gunshot victim, whose identity and condition have not been publicly released, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Police say preliminary information suggests the violence erupted following a dispute between individuals in the area, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. Investigators recovered evidence at the scene, including shell casings, and are reviewing video footage that appears to capture part of the confrontation leading up to the gunfire.
A suspect, whose name has not yet been released pending formal charges, was taken into custody shortly after the shooting. Authorities have not disclosed what led them to the arrest but confirmed that the individual is being held at the Birmingham City Jail.
The downtown shooting disrupted traffic and drew a heavy police presence, with crime scene tape cordoning off several blocks as detectives conducted interviews and collected evidence late into the evening. Businesses in the vicinity reported locking their doors temporarily as officers worked to secure the area.
This marks yet another violent incident in Birmingham’s ongoing struggle with gun crime, a problem that city leaders and law enforcement have repeatedly vowed to address through increased patrols, community engagement, and anti-violence initiatives.
Birmingham Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting — particularly those who may have witnessed the altercation or have additional video — to contact the department’s Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or provide an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
As the investigation continues, friends and family of Tj Arnold are mourning his loss and calling for an end to the cycle of violence in the community.
