2018 Birmingham homicides
This is a List of Birmingham homicides in 2018. 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.
Seven homicides have been reported in the city as of January 18, putting the city on pace for 142 for the year. Based on the 2016 census estimate of 212,157 population, that would represent 66.9 homicides per 100,000 residents. Birmingham had 114 homicides in 2017. The recent record low of 62 homicides was set in 2014, and the recent record high was 141 in 1992. At this point in 2017, 3 homicides had been reported.
The city has averaged 12.1 homicides per month, or one every 2.6 days. There were 7 incidents so far in January. The longest stretch without a homicide was the 5 day span between January 6-11. Two deaths were reported on Mondays, one on a Wednesday, three on Thursdays, and one on a Saturday.
Three reported homicides were ruled justifiable as self-defense by investigators or prosecutors. In one of those cases murder charges were filed against an accomplice. The police department therefore acknowledges four chargeable homicides, all considered murders. Suspects have been identified in 4 cases, apprehended in 4, and charged in 2.
All seven deaths so far have resulted from shootings. One incident occurred on the streets, five at private homes, 1 at a business, and none at apartment complexes. Two were reported in the West Precinct, 4 in the East Precinct, none in the South Precinct and 1 in the North Precinct. Two deaths resulted from self-defense, another over a dispute about a hit-and-run, and the motive is unknown in three other deaths. Six victims were males and one was female.
Listing by date
- January 3: Elie Jameel Miller, 18, was shot to death at the King City Food Mart on Warrior Road and Avenue P in Belview Heights (map) Investigators determined that he and his twin brother Kenneth had attempted to steal a car with a female passenger inside and were confronted by the owner, who shot at them during a struggle. The shooter was not charged. Kenneth Miller was charged with felony murder as an accomplice in a crime that resulted in a homicide. (report)
- January 6: DeQuinton Danner, 25, was shot to death while driving his girlfriend's car on the 300 block of Robison Drive in Roebuck (map). No arrest. (report)
- January 11: Lee Otis Farrow Hamilton, 28, was one of two people found shot to death inside an apartment at Tom Brown Village housing project in North Avondale (map). It was initially reported as a suspected murder-suicide, but investigation suggested otherwise. One person was taken into custody at the scene for questioning, but no charges have been filed. (report)
- January 11: Felicia Antoinette Fletcher, 31, was found dead in the same incident.
- January 15: Eric Cotton, 28, was shot to death inside a home at 3633 45th Avenue North in Harriman Park (map). His friend, Luther Gray, had been hanging out and drinking before he suddenly pulled two guns and began firing. A woman escaped the house unharmed. Gray pursued her and broke into a neighbor's house and fired more rounds without further injury. He was arrested nearby by police responding to the sound of gunfire and later charged with murder, assault and burglary. (report)
- January 15: Gregory Walker, 61, was shot to death on the 4700 block of Carver Avenue Southwest in Hillman map). He was killed during a confrontation over an earlier hit-and-run collision. The shooter surrendered to police for questioning, but no charges were filed because it was determined he fired in self-defense. (report)
- January 18: James Chapman, 19, was shot to death after pulling a gun during an altercation in a house on the 200 block of Tucker Avenue in Roebuck map). The shooter was questioned, but has not been charged pending a determination by prosecutors. (report)