Officials say the masked guy believed to have died in the shooting in Birmingham is still alive
A masked man who was slain on Friday during a suspected robbery in Birmingham’s Avondale neighborhood has been identified by authorities.
The deceased guy was named as Rufus Jermaine Brock by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. He was a 34-year-old Birmingham resident.
According to coroner’s officials on Monday, they had only been informed of one homicide from the incident, despite the police’s initial allegation that two males had died.
On Monday, Officer Truman Fitzgerald added that the second man—who was thought to be dead—was brought back to life at UAB Hospital. It is unknown what condition he is in.
Three individuals were shot in total; two of them were wearing black nylon masks, and the third is thought to have been the victim of robbery by the two men in masks. There was no risk to his life from his wounds.
Around 11:00 on Friday morning, there were several gunshots heard in the 4400 block of Fifth Avenue South. The Oak Tree Apartments are that place.
At 11:34 a.m., Brock was found dead in the parking lot, still wearing his black mask, on the ground next to a work van.
Urged to UAB Hospital were the other two individuals.
“We think this was all the result of a robbery gone bad,” Fitzgerald stated at the scene.
He stated that investigators don’t think Friday’s attempted robbery was a victim of chance because the victim was probably the intended victim.
Fitzgerald said, “These are two men wearing ski masks in ninety-degree weather.” You let us know what you believe they were planning. That is the issue at hand.
According to Fitzgerald, this summer’s story has thus far focused on “broad daylight crimes.”
“This simply serves to highlight the degree of negligence exhibited by the criminal element,” he remarked. “Avondale Park is only a short stroll away.”
Fitzgerald said it’s crucial to remember that things don’t always go according to plan, even if the victims were in fact committed a crime.
“Young men, we live in Alabama where everybody has a gun,” he continued, speaking from a place of love. “Remember that other person you think may be a victim, it doesn’t always turn out that way, before you think you can get the drop on somebody.”
“In 2024, there have been seven justified killings,” he declared.
As of now this year, the city has seen 73 killings. Seven of those have been declared justified and are not considered crimes.
Counting the 73 in Birmingham, there have been 96 killings in Jefferson County.
Call 205-254-1764 for homicide detectives or 205-254-7777 for Crime Stoppers if you have any information.