HBCU Football Rivalry Marked by Death and Eight Wounded
A shooting Saturday night near the Magic City Classic in Birmingham left one person dead and at least eight others injured, with multiple firearms found at the scene.
By Pedro Barnes ·
One person died in a shooting that occurred Saturday night near the Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Alabama, according to police.
The event is the largest historically Black college and university football game in the United States. Officers responded to the 400 block of Graymont Avenue around 7:50 p.m. and immediately suspended all tailgating in the area. Investigators recovered multiple firearms at the scene and detained one individual for questioning at police headquarters.
As of early Sunday morning, medical personnel reported one victim remained in critical condition while seven others were stable. No police officers or first responders were injured in the incident.
Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett described the incident as a senseless act of violence. He noted that the event places a heavy burden on city personnel. Pickett stated that other law enforcement leaders quickly offered support and that the responding officers displayed true courage by running toward the gunfire to render aid.
The Magic City Classic serves as a major annual gathering for the HBCU community. The shooting disrupted the evening celebrations and prompted a coordinated response from local and supporting agencies. Police confirmed that all officers involved in the response were able to return home to their families by the end of the night.
