2012 Birmingham homicides

This is a List of Birmingham homicides in 2012. It includes homicide cases occuring 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.

11 homicides have been reported in the city as of February 18, putting Birmingham on pace for 82 in 2012. Based on the 2011 census estimate of 212,237 population, that represents 38.6 homicides per 100,000 population for the year. Birmingham had 61 homicides in 2011, 63 in 2010, 72 in 2009, and a record of 141 in 1992. At this time in 2011 there had been 7 homicides.

Birmingham is averaging 6.8 homicides per month, or one every 4.5 days. There were 8 incidents in January and 3 so far in February. The longest stretch without a homicide was the 12 days between January 4 and 16. Six deaths were reported on Sundays, 1 on a Monday, 1 on a Tuesday, 1 on a Wednesday, 1 on a Thursday, 1 on a Fridays and none on Saturdays.

Of the 11 reported homicides, suspects have been identified in 7 cases, apprehended in 7, charged in 2 and convicted in none. One homicide was ruled justifiable by prosecutors. Not counting that one, the police department acknowledges 10 murders in its tabulation for the year.

All of the 11 reported homicides were shootings. 5 deaths came during robberies, 2 at altercations at places of business, and 2 cases were the result of ongoing arguments. 1 incident took place on the streets, 3 at private homes, 2 at businesses, and 1 at an apartment complex. 10 victims were males and 1 was female.

Listing by date

1. January 3: Cordarious Hawthorne, 23, was shot to death during an altercation at the Emerald Parc Apartments at 648 Earline Circle in Spring Lake. William Howard turned himself in to police the same day and was charged with murder. (link)
2. January 4: Cedric Dickson, 54, was shot to death on the 3700 block of Laurel Avenue in Riley-Travellick. No arrest. (report)
3. January 16: Thomas Anderson, 39, was shot to death during an altercation at 2304 16th Street North in Acipco-Finley. James Powell, an acquaintance of Anderson's involved in an ongoing dispute, was arrested and charged with murder. (report)
4. January 29: Ronnie Render, 42, one of five victims found shot to death at a home at 3113 Avenue S in Ensley Highlands after a report of a robbery in progress. Three suspects have been charged with 5 counts each of capital murder. (report)
5. January 29: Charles "C. J." Render, 21, nephew of Ronnie, one of five victims in Ensley Highlands robbery
6. January 29: Jeffrey Davis, Jr, 23, the third of five victims in Ensley Highlands robbery
7. January 29: Jonathan Sanchez, 23, the fourth of five victims in Ensley Highlands robbery
8. January 29: Demetrius Sanford, 19, the fifth of five victims in Ensley Highlands robbery
9. February 3: William Leon Mason, 42, who had spent his evening harassing customers at beauty salons, pulled a knife on the owner of Soul Ville Head Shop in North Birmingham and was shot to death. No charges are expected to be filed. (report)
10. February 9: Isaac Spencer, 44, previously convicted for attempted murder of a police officer and indicted for trafficking cocaine, was found shot to death on his front porch 825 23rd Street Southwest. No arrest. (report)
11. February 12: Diane Letresse Moss, 32, was killed in a shooting outside a nightclub at 1105 3rd Avenue West. Two others were wounded. No arrest. (report)

External links

• Slayings in the Birmingham area, 2012, map compiled by The Birmingham News

See also

• List of homicides in 2012
• Birmingham homicides by year
• Crime in Birmingham