2012 Ensley Highlands murders

The 2012 Ensley Highlands murders were five homicides committed by alleged robbers who broke in on a card game at a house at 3113 Avenue S in Ensley Highlands (map) on the morning of Sunday, January 29, 2012.

The Birmingham Police Department responded to neighbors' reports of a robbery in progress around 3:30 AM. They found five victims in the house, four of whom had been shot in the back of the head at point-blank range. The victims were identified two days later as friends and relatives who regularly got together to play cards.

So far two suspects have been charged with capital murder as investigation continues.

Victims

• Ronnie Render, 42, a janitorial worker and caretaker, was the head of household. He and his wife had five children.
• Charles "C. J." Render, 21, was Ronnie Render's nephew. He worked in construction and as a nightclub security guard.
• Jeffrey Davis, Jr, 23, a Midfield High School graduate, worked as a sign-holder for Forestdale's Cash For Gold. He lived with the Renders while he saved money to buy a car.
• Jonathan Sanchez, 23, was a cook at the Summit Club and had recently been named "Employee of the Month". He and his girlfriend had one daughter. He was a visitor to the house.
• Demetrius Sanford, 19, was C. J.'s cousin, a junior at Parker High School, and father of one. He had driven up to the house while the robbery was in progress. One or more attackers brought him into the house where he was shot and killed.

Investigation

Interviews with neighborhood residents revealed that the robbery had been interrupted in progress, and that at least two people may have escaped unharmed. On Sunday evening, police, with help from U. S. Marshals, arrested three individuals in Dolomite in connection with the investigation.

None of the three were formally charged, but were booked with an indication that capital murder charges would be filed. One of the three, a 24-year-old, had recently pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon and was also under indictment for attempted murder and assault in another county. He was released the next day with no charge. His younger brother, Markell Devante Bell, 18, was charged with robbery in an unrelated incident. The two of them had been involved in an automobile collision on Sunday afternoon in Fairfield that claimed the life of Alona Rebecca Farries. They were passengers in an SUV driven by Shakela Johnson of Hueytown.

The other suspect, Rashad Stoves, 17, a Wenonah High School student, was charged with five counts of capital murder. He also faces attempted murder and robbery charges from another incident. On February 1, police announced the arrest of Artavius Underwood, 16. He was also charged with five counts of murder and in a separate robbery.

Responses

A community candlelight vigil brought about 75 people to the area where the crime occurred on the evening of February 1. Family members of the victims as well as neighbors, community activists, and Birmingham City Councilman Steven Hoyt attended.

References

• Gray, Jeremy (January 29, 2012) "5 found dead in west Birmingham house." Birmingham News
• Faulk, Kent (January 29, 2012) "Birmingham police seek information in slayings of five men in Ensley Highlands." Birmingham News
• Faulk, Kent (January 29, 2012) "Jefferson County Coroner's Office: identifications of five men killed in Ensley still pending." Birmingham News
• Robinson, Carol (January 30, 2012) "Trio held in connection with mass slaying in Birmingham; suspects include 2 teens." Birmingham News
• Robinson, Carol (January 30, 2012) "Two suspects in Birmingham mass killing involved in fatal crash hours before slayings." Birmingham News
• Robinson, Carol (January 31, 2012) "Police identify victims of Sunday's mass slaying in Ensley." Birmingham News
• Robinson, Carol (January 31, 2012) "Families of 5 slain in Birmingham remember loved ones as kind and hard workers." Birmingham News
• Robinson, Carol (February 1, 2012) "Rashad Stoves, 17, charged in Birmingham quintuple homicide." Birmingham News
• Gray, Jeremy (February 1, 2012) "Update: Second suspect charged in Birmingham mass slaying." Birmingham News
• Gray, Jeremy (February 1, 2012) "Family members of mass slaying victims weep during Birmingham vigil." Birmingham News