The Tuesday shooting deaths of a man and woman, as well as the wounding of two others, prompted Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith to speak out on domestic violence, and violence in general.
"Today we lost two community members in a domestic-related homicide. Domestic violence comes in many forms and anyone can be affected,'' Smith said in a video news release. “It’s important that we recognize the warning signs of abuse and seek help.”
Tuesday’s deadly shooting happened just after 11 a.m. when Birmingham’s North Precinct officers were dispatched to the apartment at 1124 12th Street North on a report of multiple people shot. When they arrived, they found an adult male outside of the apartment. He was pronounced dead on the sidewalk.
Inside the apartment, an adult female victim was also found dead. Two others – a male and a female – were wounded. Both were taken to UAB Hospital’s Trauma Center. The adult female has life-threatening injuries and the adult male is expected to survive.
Sgt. Rod Mauldin said the preliminary investigation shows that an ex-boyfriend of the female came to the location and shot three people inside. The male inside the apartment was able to return fire, striking the shooter who died moments later.
Police late Tuesday identified those killed in the incident as Lorretta Frazier, 65, and Derick Williams, 40. The preliminary investigation suggests Williams was in a previous relationship with the woman who was shot but survived, said Sgt. Rod Mauldin. There had been a domestic report filed at the location within the 24 hours prior to the killing and there has been a history of other domestic-related incidents.
The deaths are Birmingham’s 103rd and 104th homicides of the year. Of those, 13 have been ruled justifiable and one accidental and therefore aren’t deemed criminal. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 149 homicides, including the 104 in Birmingham.
Birmingham ended 2019 with 106 homicides and ended 2018 with 107 homicides.
The police chief, in his video statement, said the Birmingham Police Department has seen a steady flow of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just three days ago, 57-year-old Ricky Ray Carlisle was fatally stabbed inside an Ensley home in what police also said resulted from a domestic dispute.
"It is important to point out overall crime is down,'' Smith said. Property crimes are down 28.2 percent and total violent crimes are down 20.5 percent so far in 2020 compared to this time last year.
Homicides, however, are up 8.6 percent. "Many are domestic related,'' Smith said. “This is where we need your help. If you’re involved in a seemingly abusive relationship, help us out and allow us to help you out.”
The chief urged anyone in a domestic violence situation to call the 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-650-6522 or dial 911. For more information pertaining to domestic abuse, contact the department’s Special Victims Unit at 205-297-8413.
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‘Help us and allow us to help you’: Birmingham chief speaks on domestic violence after double killing - AL.com
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