Police identify deceased in east Birmingham shooting, ambulance wreck

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - Police are searching for the man who shot two people in east Birmingham Thursday.

Police identified the deceased as 44-year-old Damon McCain, of Center Point.

The shooting happened at the Valley Brook apartments on Gallant Drive in the Apple Valley neighborhood. Birmingham officers sealed off a large crime scene while deputies working a nearby case assisted by looking for witnesses and suspects.

Police said a mid-day argument in a breezeway turned into a shootout that spread to several buildings. Officers found more than 30 shell casings in the parking lot.

"It was multiple weapons and also from some statements that were made it was multiple people beginning to shoot back and forth at each other," Lt. Sean Edwards with BPD said.

Valley Brook residents said they didn't stop to see what happened. They ran for safety.

"You can't sit outside because you're scared you're going to get shot," resident Jacqueline Owens said.

Some people were taken into custody, mostly witnesses and at least one person of interest.

"Investigators got their work cut out, we've got multiple people who saw things," Lt. Edwards added.

McCain was being transported to UAB Hospital when the ambulance wrecked with an SUV on Roebuck Parkway and 17th Avenue Southwest, Birmingham fire officials said. Officials aren't sure if the crash or the shooting led his death.

The ambulance driver and driver of the SUV were all transported to UAB. They are both in stable condition with neck and back injuries.

Authorities are searching for the suspect, who is described as a black male wearing gym shorts and a white shirt, according to Sgt. Jack Self with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office K-9 deputies and Birmingham police officers searched for the suspect in the area of Gallant Drive and Westchester Drive.

If you see anything suspicious in the area, call 911.

Residents say much of the violence at the complex is created by outsiders visiting people who live there - and they want it to stop. One resident said she's sometimes so scared, she doesn't come home at nights - she's worried her or her kids will be shot.

Another resident says they went to a Birmingham city council meeting recently to ask for increased police presence. She thinks having more patrols will help.

"The kids are scared. you have to keep your tv off to hear the confusion in order to hit the floor. it's just not good. I know something can be done. Everybody that lives up here are not bad people," Owens explained

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