UPDATE (11:18 a.m. EDT):
By Carol Robinson
al.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Two Birmingham firefighters were shot Wednesday morning at a fire station in the city’s Norwood community.
Birmingham Fire Chief Cory Moon said both were taken to a hospital. Moon said he did not know their conditions or what led to the shooting.
Police are said to be looking for a suspect in a silver car.
The shooting happened just before 8:30 a.m. at Station 9.
Birmingham police and Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service were called to the station, at 1228 27th Str. N., where the firefighters had reportedly been shot in the chest and legs.
At least one caller reported hearing shots and ran to take cover in the bathroom.
Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond said the shooter entered the fire station through the open bay door, which typically remains open to be accessible to residents who need their blood pressure checked or other help or information.
The shooting happened shortly after they started their shift.
The early indication is that this was a targeted attack, Thurmond said.
“We don’t know why it would be a targeted attack, that’s one of the things we’re trying to determine,’’ Thurmond said. “It’s extremely unusual for someone to come target one of our fire stations and so we’re trying to see why would someone want to target one of these fire stations in Birmingham.”
“I find it extremely troubling that they would be targeted,’’ the chief said. “I hate to say it but unfortunately, I think police would be the bigger targets. Our firefighters are there to protect and aid and rescue our citizens and to seem them critically injured is troubling, disheartening.”
There is a large scene outside the station, including all the of the fire department’s top commanders, as well as Birmingham detectives and SWAT officers.
Thurmond said that the two male firefighters, both of whom were taken to UAB Hospital, are in serious condition.
He said at least one other firefighter was inside the station when the shooting happened. That firefighter was not injured.
Asked if it could be personal in nature versus a random attack on the profession itself, Thurmond said, “That’s one of the issues we’re looking at when we say, ‘Is there a connection? What is that connection if there is one?’ We just don’t know at this point in time.”
“Is it professional? Is it personal? Is it none of the above?’’ Thurmond said. “We just don’t know.”
Thurmond said he doesn’t think the general community is in danger.
“I think there could be some individuals that could have some information on this,’’ he said, “so we would encourage them to call us.”
Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
©2023 Advance Local Media LLC.
Visit al.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
EARLIER:
By Carol Robinson
al.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Two Birmingham firefighters were shot Wednesday morning at a fire station in the city’s Norwood community.
Birmingham Fire Chief Cory Moon said both were taken to a hospital. Moon said he did not know their conditions or what led to the shooting.
Police are said to be looking for a suspect in a silver car.
The shooting happened just before 8:30 a.m. at Station 9.
Birmingham police were called to the station, at 1228 27th Str. N., where the firefighters had reportedly been shot in the chest and legs.
No additional information was immediately available.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details are available.
©2023 Advance Local Media LLC.
Visit al.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.