Alabama: At least four killed and 17 injured in shooting

Four people have died and 17 people left injured following a shooting in a nightlife area in Birmingham, Alabama, according to police.

Authorities believe that a number of the people hit were caught in a crossfire, according to the Birmingham Police Department.

Officers arrived at the scene in the city's Five Points South entertainment district and found two men and a woman on a sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds.

They were pronounced dead at the scene by the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, and another male victim was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond said authorities believe the shooting targeted one of the people who was killed, possibly in a murder-for-hire.

He said a vehicle pulled up and “multiple shooters” got out and began firing, then fled the scene.

“We believe that there was a ‘hit,’ if you will, on that particular person,” Thurmond said.

Police said approximately 100 shell casings were recovered at the scene. Thurmond said law enforcement was working to determine what weapons were used, but they believe some of the gunfire was “fully automatic.”

Investigators were also trying to determine whether anyone fired back, creating crossfire.

The Five Points South area has numerous entertainment venues, restaurants and bars and often is crowded on Saturday nights.

“The priority is to find these shooters and get them off our streets,” Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said at a Sunday press conference.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To know...