Magic City Classic: Fatal shooting halts tailgating

One person is dead and at least eight others are injured after a shooting Saturday night near the Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Alabama. The event, recognized as the largest historically Black college and university football game in the United States, drew a large crowd to the 400 block of Graymont Avenue.

Birmingham Police Department officers arrived at the scene around 7:50 p.m. Upon arrival, authorities suspended all tailgating activities in the area. Investigators recovered multiple firearms at the scene. One individual was detained and transported to police headquarters for questioning. No police officers or first responders were injured in the incident.

As of early Sunday morning, medical staff reported that one victim remained in critical condition. The other seven injured persons are in stable condition. Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett described the event as a "senseless act of violence." He noted that the game places a heavy burden on local staff, stating, "Everyone knows this is the largest event we have here in the city and it’s extremely taxing on our personnel."

Pickett thanked outside law enforcement leaders who offered immediate support. He praised the responding officers for their conduct during the emergency. "Our Birmingham police officer are true heroes," Pickett said. He described officers running toward the gunfire to triage and aid those injured while moving toward the source of the shots.

The police chief concluded by thanking all officers and assisting personnel for being able to return home to their families that night. The Birmingham Police Department has not announced a timeline for when tailgating will resume or if the game schedule will change.