Birmingham mayor confirms one dead in pair of post-game shootings at Magic City Classic

One person died and eight others were wounded in two separate shootings near Legion Field in Birmingham on Saturday night, Mayor Randall Woodfin stated on Sunday. Fire officials reported that two of the victims were in critical condition as of Sunday. The victims ranged in age from 19 to 30 years old.

The incidents occurred just outside the stadium after the annual Magic City Classic football game. Alabama A&M defeated Alabama State 31-28 in a contest attended by nearly 70,000 fans. This rivalry between the two historically Black colleges has been played for more than a century and draws some of the largest crowds in their division.

Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett indicated that most spectators and families had already left the stadium property when the first shooting took place. The initial incident happened nearby, where vendors were located along Graymont Avenue. Authorities have not yet clarified the specific circumstances of either shooting or the exact location of the fatality.

Police spokesperson De'Rell Freeman stated that one person had been detained and that multiple weapons were found. Woodfin identified the detainee as a 17-year-old who used an illegal Glock switch conversion device. This device can convert a gun into a fully automatic firearm. Authorities said they are continuing to pursue other suspects.

Woodfin addressed the community's reaction to the violence during his news conference. He emphasized that the city can discuss public safety honestly while still celebrating the event's cultural importance. "We will not retreat from our history," Woodfin said. "We will not apologize for our culture, and we will not turn our backs on the institutions and traditions that have contributed so much to this city and our communities. We will continue to support, defend and uplift our city's historically Black tradition."