From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — According to the Birmingham Police Department, the domestic-related homicide investigation of Derick Williams has been reclassified as a justified death investigation.
Authorities say investigators presented the homicide case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office for review and their assessment has ruled the actions justifiable.
Williams, 40, was one of two people killed in a Birmingham apartment complex shooting on Nov. 10, 2020.
A news release from BPD says north precinct officers responded to a call of four people shot at 1024 12th Street North in Birmingham a little after 11 a.m. that Tuesday morning. Upon arrival, officers found Williams lying unresponsive on the sidewalk outside the apartment. They later discovered Loretta Frazier, 65, unresponsive inside the apartment. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two others were also shot and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The preliminary investigation suggested Williams, who was in a previous romantic relationship with the surviving female, came to the location and shot all three people inside.
Police say the wounded male victim was able to return fire, fatally wounding Williams.
