From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Police Department is investigating a double-homicide that killed a 16-year-old on Saturday, January 8, at approximately 9:15 p.m.
According to the Birmingham Police Department, officers responded to a call of a person shot at 16th Way Southwest and Matt Leonard Drive.
“Responding officers discovered an adult male, Franklin Harris, 49, of Birmingham, lying unresponsive in the middle of the road next to a motorcycle,” Sergeant Rodarius Mauldin said.
Harris suffered an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced dead on the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue.
Related Story: 2 dead, including teen passerby, in Birmingham shooting
The preliminary investigation suggests Harris turned onto 16th Way Southwest and laid the motorcycle down in the roadway.
“The suspects drove onto a grassy area at the intersection and stopped,” Mauldin said. “The suspect(s) reportedly exited the vehicle and fired shots fatally wounding Harris.”
Officers and detectives were also alerted of another gunshot victim, 16-year-old Yasmine Wright, of Birmingham, was transported by personal vehicle to Birmingham Fire Station 25 located at 3015 Wilson Road.
“Wright was the passenger in a vehicle passing in the area when she was struck by gunfire,” Mauldin said.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue transported Wright to UAB Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
“The suspect(s) fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction,” Mauldin said. “The suspect(s) is at large.”
Authorities ask anyone who has information pertaining to the case, please contact the BPD Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
The story will be updated when more information is available.
