Birmingham PD arrests man in shooting, robbery of transgender woman

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - Birmingham police arrested a man Wednesday in the shooting of a transgender woman Monday morning in the 7500 block of 5th Avenue South.

Denzell Thomas, 23, faces attempted murder and first-degree robbery charges. He is being held at the Jefferson County Jail on a $200,000 bond.

The victim was shot in the ear and has life-threatening injuries. Police said Wednesday the victim is recovering at UAB hospital.

The victim's boyfriend, Darius Foster, said he returned home from the store shortly after the shooting and heard the victim yelling for help.

Police also questioned Foster.

They have not yet identified the victim of Monday's shooting.

Detectives are investigating whether or not this shooting is connected to a shooting in September where another transgender woman was fatally shot at the King's Inn Motel.

A motel employee found Hason Amin Alford, 30, from High Point, NC, dead in a motel room.

In both cases, police said the victims were wearing blond wigs and were shot with a 9 mm gun.

Lt. Sean Edwards said Thomas is also a person of interest in this case.

Destiny Carter with Central Alabama Pride said her organization will hold an anti-violence rally on Friday, Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. in Kelly Ingram Park.

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