Police detained one person and recovered multiple firearms after gunfire erupted near Birmingham’s Legion Field following the HBCU rivalry game.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — One person was killed and eight others were wounded in a shooting near Legion Field on Saturday night after the Magic City Classic, prompting police to shut down remaining tailgating activities and launch an investigation involving several local, state and federal agencies.
Birmingham police said officers responded shortly after 7:50 p.m. Oct. 31 to the 400 block of Graymont Avenue, near the south side of Legion Field. Nine people had been shot. One victim died, one remained in critical condition early Sunday and seven others were reported in stable condition. Authorities had not publicly identified the person who died or the injured victims as of Sunday morning.
The gunfire came after the 85th Magic City Classic, the annual football rivalry between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University. The game and its surrounding events bring large crowds to Birmingham each year for football, tailgating, a downtown parade and other celebrations. Police said much of the shooting scene was outside the formal stadium event area, though it was close to vendors and crowds leaving Legion Field.
Police detained one person and took that individual to Birmingham Police Department headquarters for questioning. Investigators also recovered multiple firearms at the scene. Authorities had not announced criminal charges, identified a suspect or established a motive. Police Chief Michael Pickett said investigators were working to determine what led to the gunfire and whether multiple people were involved.
No police officers or other first responders were reported injured. Pickett said officers moved toward the sound of gunfire while helping wounded people and securing the area. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Vestavia Hills Police Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, FBI Birmingham and the U.S. Attorney’s Office were among the agencies that assisted Birmingham police after the shooting.
Police suspended all remaining Magic City Classic tailgating after the shooting and told people to leave the Legion Field property. Authorities also urged the public to stay away while officers processed the scene. Investigators later asked people who recorded video around the time of the shooting to provide that footage to police as detectives worked to reconstruct what happened.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin condemned the violence and said the shooting had shaken a celebration closely associated with the city and its HBCU community. Woodfin said the Magic City Classic is rooted in tradition and family and expressed support for those affected. Police Chief Pickett also described the shooting as senseless violence while thanking officers and outside agencies for their response.
The shooting occurred only hours after thousands of fans gathered for the Classic’s annual parade and football game. Birmingham officials had prepared for the event with street closures, shuttle service, parking restrictions and stadium security measures. Gates at Legion Field opened at 12:30 p.m., with the game scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. The shooting was reported several hours later as crowds remained around the stadium area.
Authorities have not released details about what may have started the confrontation or whether the person detained is believed to have fired a weapon. The recovery of multiple firearms remained part of the investigation, but police had not said how many weapons were fired or how many people may have been involved. Officials also had not announced whether the shooting was connected to any dispute inside the stadium or directly related to the football game itself.
The investigation remained active Sunday. Birmingham police were continuing to review evidence and witness information while seeking video from people who were near Legion Field when the shooting occurred. No charges had been announced, and authorities said additional details would be released as investigators determined the sequence of events and responsibility for the gunfire.
Author note: Last updated November 1, 2026.