Manhunt continues in Birmingham, Alabama after 4 killed by modified semi-automatic weapons

A devastating mass shooting late Saturday night in Birmingham, Alabama's bustling Five Points South entertainment district has claimed the lives of four individuals and left 17 others wounded. 

The violent episode unfolded outside the Hush lounge, a popular venue in an area frequented by weekend revelers, causing panic and shock throughout the community.

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond provided details on the incident, suggesting that the attack was a targeted “hit” that primarily aimed at one of the individuals who died. 

He described a chilling scene where a vehicle approached, “multiple shooters” emerged to open fire, and then quickly fled the scene. 

The aftermath was grim, with police recovering around 100 shell casings and investigating the likelihood that some of the gunfire was fully automatic.

Authorities, now in a desperate search to apprehend the perpetrators, believe modifications were made to semi-automatic weapons, enhancing their rate of fire. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, visibly shaken by the events, emphasized the urgency of addressing the gun violence that plagues the city and nation. 

"The priority is to find these shooters and get them off our streets,” Woodfin stated, promising more updates in a scheduled news conference.

The immediate area around Hush was a stark crime scene into Sunday morning, with reminders of the previous night’s chaos still visible. 

The tragedy has cast a long shadow over the community, known for its lively nightlife and close proximity to the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Local hospitals, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, were quickly overwhelmed as victims poured in, with conditions ranging from good to critical. 

The community and authorities are now grappling with the broader implications of such violence, which marks Birmingham's third mass shooting this year.

Mayor Woodfin’s call to action underscores a wider call for solutions to gun violence, a sentiment echoed across various levels of government and the public as the city reels from yet another act of senseless violence.