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.
14 homicides have been reported in the city as of March 17, putting Birmingham on pace for 67 in 2012. Based on the 2011 census estimate of 212,237 population, that represents 31.6 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 12 homicides.
Birmingham is averaging 5.5 homicides per month, or one every 5.5 days. There were 8 incidents in January, 3 in February, and 3 so far in March. The longest stretch without a homicide was the 22 days between February 14 and March 5. Six deaths were reported on Sundays, 3 on Mondays, 1 on a Tuesday, 1 on a Wednesday, 1 on a Thursday, 2 on Fridays and none on Saturdays.
Of the 14 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 13 murders in its tabulation for the year.
All of the 14 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. 2 incidents took place on the streets, 5 at private homes, 2 at businesses, and 1 at an apartment complex. 12 victims were males and 2 were females.
Listing by date
- 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)
- January 4: Cedric Dickson, 54, was shot to death on the 3700 block of Laurel Avenue in Riley-Travellick. No arrest. (report)
- 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)
- 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)
- January 29: Charles "C. J." Render, 21, nephew of Ronnie, one of five victims in Ensley Highlands robbery
- January 29: Jeffrey Davis, Jr, 23, the third of five victims in Ensley Highlands robbery
- January 29: Jonathan Sanchez, 23, the fourth of five victims in Ensley Highlands robbery
- January 29: Demetrius Sanford, 19, the fifth of five victims in Ensley Highlands robbery
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- March 5: Victor Cunningham, 28, was shot to death as he arrived at his home at 927 Garden Street in Southwest Birmingham. No arrest. (report)
- March 12: DeMarcus Horton, 19, was shot to death on the porch of a house at 4817 Avenue V near Five Points West. Two other victims are expected to recover. No arrest. (report)
- March 16: Acquanita Rucker, 40, was found dead in the 1100 block of 47th Street North. No arrest. (report)
Responses
References
External links
- Slayings in the Birmingham area, 2012, map compiled by The Birmingham News