From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — A Birmingham man was arrested for the murder of a 14-year-old female who was shot and killed on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at approximately 8:10 a.m.
Bruce Lanier Austin (Photo courtesy of the Birmingham Police Department)
According to the Birmingham Police Department (BPD), 37-year-old Bruce Lanier Austin was arrested in connection to the murder of Moriah Quib-Marquez, 14, of Birmingham, while in the 500 block of 80th Street North.
“Birmingham Police Detectives presented information on the case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office,” Sergeant Monica Law stated. “After an assessment of the information, detectives obtained warrants for capital murder (no bond), assault first degree ($1,000,000 bond), and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle ($100,000 bond).
Austin is in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, where he will be held without bond for the capital murder charge.
Related Story: 14-year-old female killed, adult injured in shooting in Birmingham
Quib-Marquez was an occupant in a vehicle when she was shot and killed in the 500 Block of 80th Street North.
“Officers arrived on the scene and observed an SUV that had collided with a utility pole,” Law stated. “Officers observed two occupants inside the vehicle suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.”
Birmingham Fire and Rescue (BFR) personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced Quib-Marquez dead. BFR transported the second gunshot victim, an adult female occupant, to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
“Also, there was an adult female passenger and three small children inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting; they were not injured,” Law stated. “The preliminary investigation suggests the victims were traveling in a vehicle on 80th Street North when the vehicle and victims were struck by gunfire.”
Authorities ask if there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case to contact the BPD Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Quib-Marquez is Birmingham’s 121st murder investigation of 2022, with eight justifiable death investigations.
The story will be updated when more information is available.
