IMG 9144 scaled e1793637550783 How Birmingham can support victims of the Magic City Classic shootings — The entrance of Legion Field in Birmingham. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

On Sunday, November 1, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin addressed a grieving community following two shootings that occurred on Saturday night after the Magic City Classic, killing one person and injuring eight. The shootings occured near 8:00PM on Graymont Avenue close to Legion Field, following the conclusion of the 85th annual game between Alabama A&M and Alabama State University.

“Our community is still shaken. Our community is still hurting, and we’re all still trying to process the tragic events that unfolded last night. One person lost their life, another is fighting for their life as we speak, and seven others were injured. Our hearts are with every victim and the families whose lives have been forever changed.

We also extend our arms to those who witnessed this tragedy firsthand. They are carrying an enormous emotional weight, and they deserve our compassion and our support and care.”
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin

Where can victims, families + witnesses go for help?

The city has enlisted a number of mental health service organizations to help people that witnessed the tragic event.

If you were there or are struggling after Saturday night, these local counselors are ready to talk.

Black Women’s Mental Health Institute – www.bwmhi.org, 205-440-2837

Storeyhouse Counseling & Consulting LLC – https://www.shccal.com, 205-259-8650

TC Counseling – https://www.tccounselingservices.com, 205-224-4387

Brothers Let’s Talk – 205-266-2352

Strive Counseling / Nurture – https://www.nurturebham.com and https://www.strivebhm.com, 205-721-9893

A Work in Progress – www.workinprogresscounseling.com, 205-994-4563

The city has also set up a website to support grieving families and friends, birminghamal.gov/griefhelp

How can you help support the investigation?

The Birmingham Police Department continues to ask the public for help in apprehending the assailants. Below is a post describing how you can assist the department.

“This incident did not happen because of the Classic. It happened after the Classic, outside of its events. The Classic, as I stated, has an 85-year tradition of being family-friendly and safe. We can demand accountability without assigning blame where it does not belong, and we can have an honest conversation about public safety while continuing to embrace and celebrate the traditions that have helped shape our city and our institutions, and so I want to make this promise: we will not retreat from our history.”
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin