Tuscaloosa musician shot during Avondale robbery attempt

Ronnie Lee Gipson, 28, was treated for the gunshot wound at UAB Hospital in Birmingham. He was shot at 12:49 a.m. while he and his girlfriend were walking to his vehicle after attending a show at Saturn in the Avondale area.

Ronnie Lee Gipson, 28, plays guitar, bass and drums and is a member of several bands that tour the Southeast, including Bad Cologne, The Golden Monica, Thee Crown Imps, Model Citizen, the Original Snake Charmers and Black Willis Band.
Photo via The Tuscaloosa News

Birmingham Police are investigating the case, but have no suspects, said Lt. Sean Edwards, a BPD spokesman.

By midmorning, donors to a gofundme.com account had contributed nearly $11,000 to help cover medical and living expenses.

The Tuscaloosa native is known by some as “Bo” or “Little Bo.”

“Little Bo has done so much for the music community,” said friend Bo Hicks. “If somebody’s car is broken down or somebody needs to borrow a bass amp for a show, he’s there. That has a lot to do with the outpouring from his friends, with the number of bands he’s been in and the number of solids he’s done people.”

Gipson has been involved in the Tuscaloosa music scene since he was a teenager. He plays guitar, bass and drums and is a member of several bands that tour the Southeast, including Bad Cologne, The Golden Monica, Thee Crown Imps, Model Citizen, the Original Snake Charmers and Black Willis Band.

“He’s really influenced a lot of people. It’s important that he’s stayed in Tuscaloosa. So many good musicians move out of town, but he’s been here and is really owning it. He’s made me proud, and is one of those people who is making Tuscaloosa better,” Hicks said.