2015 Birmingham homicides
This is a List of Birmingham homicides in 2015. It includes homicide cases occurring within the city limits during the calendar year. Note that a "homicide" refers to the cause of death as determined by a medical examiner, not to the commission of the crime of murder as charged by police and prosecutors.
A total of 6 homicides have been reported in the city as of January 26, putting the city on pace for 84 for the year. Based on the 2013 census estimate of 212,113 population, that would represent 39.6 homicides per 100,000 population. Birmingham had a record low of 62 homicides in 2014 and 69 homicides in 2013. The recent record high was 141 in 1992. At this time in 2014 there had been 3 homicides reported.
The city has averaged 7.2 homicides per month, or one every 4.3 days. There were 6 incidents so far in January. The longest stretch without a homicide was the 10 days between January 16 and 26. One death was reported on a Sunday, 1 on a Monday, 1 on a Tuesday, 1 on a Wednesday, 2 on Thursdays, none on Fridays and none on Saturdays.
Of the 6 reported homicides, suspects have been identified in 4 cases, apprehended in 3, and charged in 3. One death was caused by reckless driving rather than malice aforethought. The police department therefore acknowledges 5 chargeable homicides, of which 4 so far have been classified as murder.
At least one homicide was a shooting, two resulted from vehicle collisions, two from strangulation, and one from abuse to a child. Two took place on the streets, one in a driveway, two inside homes and one in a motel. Three were reported in the West Precinct, 1 in the East Precinct, 1 in the South Precinct and 1 in the North Precinct. One death was the result of a domestic dispute, one was drug related, another was caused by reckless driving, and the third from child abuse. Four victims were male and two were female.
Listing by date
- January 4: Darrell Edward Watkins, 37, was struck by a car while walking along Ishkooda Road on his way home from a neighborhood shop. He was taken to UAB Hospital where he died from his injuries. No arrest. (report)
- January 6: Jaremiah Mason Hayes, 2, died at Children's Hospital from head injuries sustained at his home in Ensley. The Jefferson County Coroner determined that the death was a homicide. D'Juan Lovell Steen, a boyfriend of the victim's mother, was arrested and charged with capital murder. (report)
- January 14: Cheryl Smith, 38, was crushed by a car following an argument with her husband at their home on the 1700 block of 34th Street North in Norwood. No arrest. (report)
- January 16: Lucretia Rachel, 45, was found strangled to death in room 111 of the Birmingham Inn on 3rd Avenue West. Johnny "Squeeky" Coach, Jr was arrested and charged with murder. (report)
- January 16: Mark Andrew Kieskowski, 47, was found strangled to death in his living room on the 900 block of 28th Street South in Highland Park. Jason Paul Hopkins and Dane Donovan Leach were arrested in Shelby County and charged with capital murder. (report)
- January 26: An unnamed male was found shot to death at the corner of 33rd Avenue and 34th Street North in Collegeville. No arrest. (report)