Shooting near Birmingham college game leaves one dead

Birmingham police reported one death and at least eight injuries following a shooting Saturday evening near the Magic City Classic. The event, billed as the largest historically Black college and university football game in the country, drew crowds to the 400 block of Graymont Avenue in Birmingham, Alabama.

Officers arrived at the scene around 7:50 p.m. and immediately halted all tailgating activities in the vicinity. Investigators recovered multiple firearms at the location. One individual was detained and transported to police headquarters for questioning, according to the Birmingham Police Department.

As of early Sunday morning, medical reports indicated one victim remained in critical condition while the other seven were stable. No police officers or first responders sustained injuries during the response. Chief Michael Pickett characterized the incident as a senseless act of violence that placed a heavy strain on city personnel.

Pickett noted that other law enforcement leaders offered immediate assistance due to the scale of the event. He described officers running toward the gunfire to triage victims and render aid as an act of true courage. The chief expressed gratitude that his officers and supporting personnel were able to return to their families safely that night.

The shooting occurred in the area surrounding the Magic City Classic, a fixture of the local fall sports calendar. Police maintained a presence on Graymont Avenue through the night as they processed the scene and interviewed witnesses.