Birmingham Community Reeling After Daylight Shooting at Collegeville Housing Complex
Birmingham, AL—The Collegeville public housing community was shaken on Friday, September 13, 2024, following a tragic shooting that claimed the life of a 33-year-old man. The victim, identified as Chuck Wallace, was a private contractor with the Birmingham Housing Authority. The incident unfolded just after noon in the 3000 block of 32nd Avenue North, an area bustling with activity at the time.
Witness Accounts and Immediate Response
Reports from residents painted a harrowing picture of the event. Many described the sound of gunfire echoing through the complex, with some individuals saying they felt compelled to take cover inside their homes. Officer Truman Fitzgerald from the North Precinct reported that when officers arrived on the scene, they found Wallace on the sidewalk, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue rushed Wallace to UAB Hospital, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries during transport. “From everything we’ve gathered from speaking with witnesses outside, it was unprovoked,” Fitzgerald recounted, noting the seemingly random nature of the attack. “The suspect walked up to the victim, shot him, and fled the scene.”
Investigative Efforts
As authorities began their investigation, they could not immediately confirm whether Wallace was familiar with his assailant. Fitzgerald emphasized that the circumstances surrounding the shooting appeared to lack any pre-existing conflict or argument, stating, “This was a crowded area, and the suspect had no regard for anyone else.”
Currently, no arrests have been made in connection to the shooting, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The Birmingham Housing Authority has invested in surveillance cameras, which police hope will provide valuable evidence. The police department’s Real Time Crime Center, known for generating quick leads, is also actively involved in the ongoing investigation.
Context and Community Impact
The shooting marks a tragic chapter in Birmingham’s ongoing struggle with violence, as it is counted as the city’s 113th homicide of the year. Of these, eight have been deemed justifiable, while two relate to incidents from previous years that resulted in fatalities in 2024. Overall, Jefferson County has witnessed a total of 145 homicides this year, a statistic that weighs heavily on community members.
This latest incident follows a separate shooting at the same Collegeville complex just over a month ago, in which a man was killed and a woman injured. Such violence in a public housing environment raises ongoing concerns about safety and security for residents.
Call for Information
Authorities are appealing for public assistance in the case. “We cannot stress enough,” Fitzgerald said, “if you have any information in this shooting, please we encourage you to reach out.” Those with tips are urged to contact investigators at 205-254-1764 or reach out to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
The community is left grappling with the tragic loss of a young life and the harsh reality that violence can intrude upon even the most ordinary of days. As investigations continue, the hope remains that answers will bring some measure of peace to all affected.
