‘We’re done with these games’: Birmingham leaders react to arrest in mass shooting on Southside

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

A 22-year-old Fairfield man is behind bars, accused of killing six people in 72 hours in Birmingham, including four people in the mass shooting outside the Hush Lounge in Five Points South.

Damien Laron McDaniel III is charged with the murder of two or more people in the massacre that killed four people on Sept. 21 and 17 counts of aggravated assault on those injured, police announced late Wednesday.

“Today our city can breathe a little easier,” said Birmingham City Councilor Crystal Smitherman. “But know this: For anyone who wants to harm others in our city, things are getting more unpleasant every day. We’re done with these games.”

On Wednesday, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said in a statement: “After the horrific shooting in Five Points South, we vowed that our priority would be to find, capture and arrest every person responsible for this heinous shooting and brazen mass shooting is responsible… and that’s what we did. Today was a big step towards justice.”

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond and his deputies; the sheriff’s office; Homicide detectives and federal partners, the mayor said, “worked around the clock to provide answers, closure and justice to grieving families; and every man and woman who wears the uniform and puts their lives on the line to protect us.”

But the investigation is ongoing, he said. “We will not rest until our streets are safer… Violent criminals operating in Birmingham will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice without delay.”

McDaniel is also charged with the Sept. 19 murder of Diontrante Tinae Brown, a 35-year-old mother who police say was shot as an innocent bystander at the 604 Bar and Lounge on Ninth Street North.

McDaniel faces an additional murder charge in the robbery-related shooting death of 32-year-old Jamarcus McIntyre, who was killed in a hail of gunfire in the 700 block of 81st Place South less than 24 hours after the shooting in Five Points South, AL.com reported.

“We all know that no arrest can ever undo the tragedy that rocked our community last month,” Smitherman said. “I am relieved to hear that law enforcement has left no stone unturned and has now arrested an individual suspected of this heinous act of violence. This is a significant step in the justice process and I hope it brings some degree of closure and comfort to the families and friends of those we lost.”

Woodfin said the city’s crime reduction efforts include a number of steps. “The city is committed to putting more police officers on the streets, working on legislation to remove automatic weapons from the streets and engaging our community to find innovative ways to combat violent crime,” he said.

He added that law enforcement’s commitment to quick arrests and seamless coordination with local, state and federal partners “has been strengthened over the past two years.” [and] will help ensure these criminals are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and ensure that crime does not continue to flourish in our city… Violent criminals, know that BPD and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue you. “

AL.com contributed to this post