One dead, eight wounded in shooting outside Legion Field after Magic City Classic in Birmingham

One person was killed and eight others were wounded in a shooting outside Birmingham’s Legion Field after the Magic City Classic on Saturday night, according to Birmingham police.

Police said the shooting was reported shortly after 7:50 p.m. in the 400 block of Graymont Avenue West, adjacent to the stadium. Officer De’Rell Freeman said “multiple gunshots were heard in the 400 block of Graymont Avenue West shortly after 7:50 p.m.”

Authorities said officers secured the scene so Birmingham Fire & Rescue could treat the victims. Police said one wounded person was in critical condition and the others were being treated. The person who died was not publicly identified, and police had not released the names of any of the injured.

In the immediate aftermath, police suspended all Magic City Classic tailgating, ordered people to leave stadium property and urged the public not to come to Legion Field while investigators worked the scene.

The investigation remained active late Saturday. Police said at least one person was detained and taken to police headquarters for processing. Officers also recovered multiple firearms at the scene. As of the latest reporting, no charges had been announced and police had not publicly identified a suspect.

Several agencies were assisting Birmingham police, including the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Vestavia Hills Police, the FBI’s Birmingham office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama.

Investigators asked anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting to send in video or photos that could help identify what happened. Tips can be directed to the Birmingham Police Department’s homicide unit at 205-254-1764 or to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

The shooting happened after the 85th Magic City Classic, the annual rivalry game between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University that is held in Birmingham and draws large crowds around Legion Field. Alabama A&M defeated Alabama State 31-28 earlier Saturday.

Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett said, “I am very grateful that more people weren’t injured.”

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin condemned the shooting in a statement, saying: “There is no argument, no beef, no misunderstanding that can justify this level of senseless violence during a night of celebration. … While this crime is under an active investigation, we will not let up until we achieve swift justice for this senseless violence.”