Metropolitan Birmingham has been rife with killings thus far in 2012, although the average thus far is slightly below that of recent years.
(1) The first one occurred on January 3 at approximately 12:30 A.M. when Cordarious Hawthorne, 23, was shot to death during an argument between acquaintances at 648 Earline Circle in Spring Lake. An 18 year old Center Point man, William Howard turned himself in to police later that day and was charged with murder.
(2) Number two occurred one day later, when police were called to the 3700 block of Laurel Avenue in Riley-Travellick in response to a report of multiple gunshots. The victim was 54 year old Cedric Dickson who was taken to UAB hospital where he was pronounced dead. The case remains unsolved and police request anyone having knowledge of this case to call 205-254-7777.
(3) The third killing of the year took place on January 16, when Thomas Anderson, 39, was shot to death during an altercation at 2304 16th Street North in Acipco-Finley. An acquaintance of his, James Powell, 45, who was involved in the dispute, was arrested and charged with murder on January 18.
On January 29, five men were killed in a robbery and mass killing which took place at a home at 3113 Avenue S in Ensley Highlands. Those dead were listed as Demetrius Sandford, 19, Jeffrey Davis Jr., 23, Ronnie James Render, 42, Charles Render, 21, Jonathan Sanchez, 23. Three suspects are in custody each without bond on five capital murder charges. They are:
Rashad Stoves, 17, of Birmingham. Two Robbery 1st degree warrants and one Attempted Murder warrant in two unrelated cases have been obtained against the suspect. Bonds in the unrelated cases total $1,000,000.00
Artavius Underwood,16, of Birmingham. A Robbery 1st degree warrant with a $250,000.00 bond on an unrelated case has been obtained against the suspect.
Reginald Mims, 16, of Bessemer. A Robbery 1st degree warrant with a $250,000.00 bond on an unrelated case has been obtained against the suspect.
All three suspects remain in custody at the Jefferson County Jail while the investigation into the matter continues.
(4) On February 3, William Leon Mason, 42, who had spent his evening harassing customers at beauty salons, pulled a knife on the owner of Soul Ville Head Shop in North Birmingham and was shot to death. No charges are expected to be filed.
(5) February 9: Isaac Spencer, 44, previously convicted for attempted murder of a police officer and indicted for trafficking cocaine, was found shot to death on his front porch 825 23rd Street Southwest. No arrest has been made. Investigation is ongoing.
(6) On February 12: Diane Letresse Moss, 32, of Birmingham, was killed in a shooting outside a nightclub at 1105 3rd Avenue West. Two others were wounded. No arrests as yet.
(7) March 5: Victor Cunningham, 28, was shot to death as he arrived at his home at 927 Garden Street in Southwest Birmingham. The case is still being investigated.
(8) Lawrence L. Martin, 50, was killed on March 9, when his car was struck by another vehicle on the 8900 block of 1st Avenue North in East Lake. Jessie Cook had fallen asleep at the wheel and crossed the median. She was charged with misdemeanor criminally negligent homicide.
(9) On March 12, DeMarcus Horton, 19, was shot to death on the porch of a house at 4817 Avenue V near Five Points West. Two other victims are expected to recover. No arrests have been made in this case.
(10) Acquanita Rucker, 40, was found dead in the 1100 block of 47th Street North on March 16. No arrest has been made
(11) On March 23, Tyrel Peoples, 19, was found shot in his car at 1420 44th Street in Ensley. No arrest has yet been made.
(12) Jacobi Bennett, 29, was shot to death on April 23 at a house on the 5000 block of 43rd Place North during an incident in which a woman was also injured. Harold Burch, the woman’s ex-boyfriend, was arrested and charged with capital murder and attempted murder.
Thus far, the 16 homicides listed above are on a level slightly below the last few years average.
