A man died in a hail of gunfire after police say he was ambushed in an alley in Birmingham’s Avondale community.
Birmingham police Tuesday night identified the victim as Brandon Tavarius Carpenter. He was 28.
The gunfire erupted just before 1 p.m. Tuesday on 41st Street North just off Messer Airport Highway on the edge of Tom Brown Village. The city’s gunfire detection system – Shot Spotter – indicated more than 20 shots were fired in the area.
When police arrived, they found Carpenter unresponsive in the alley. He was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Witnesses told police it appeared the victim was inside a white SUV when he was shot, and then pushed out of the vehicle. They also reported the back windshield of the Tahoe was shattered by bullets. That SUV fled the scene.
A white SUV was later towed from nearby with a shattered rear window. The tow truck was escorted by police.
Officer Truman Fitzgerald said, however, further investigation showed Carpenter was standing outside of the vehicle when at least two shooters opened fire on him. He was struck multiple times.
A man was shot multiple times Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, on 41st Street near Messer Airport Highway. (Carol Robinson)
Carpenter was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“We do believe this incident was targeted based on those fact,’’ he said.
No one is in custody.
Carpenter is the city’s 128th homicide this year. Of those, seven have been ruled justifiable and therefore aren’t deemed criminal.
In all of Jefferson County, there have been 172 homicides, including the 128 in Birmingham.
Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.