BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A man in a wheelchair was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting in Birmingham’s Woodlawn community, prompting a homicide investigation. The incident took place near the intersection of 59th Street North and 1st Avenue North, close to Woodlawn High School and the Birmingham Public Library, as reported by authorities from the Birmingham Police Department. Officers responded to the scene around 3 p.m. after receiving alerts from Shot Spotter of multiple rounds fired in the vicinity.
The victim, identified as 62-year-old Michael Coleman, was known for spending a significant amount of time in the area. Reports indicate that Coleman was socializing with a group of individuals beneath a tree near the road when a car pulled up, and shots were fired. Sheila Coleman, the victim’s sister-in-law, shared that various people would regularly visit Coleman to bring him meals. Tragically, he was found unresponsive in his wheelchair with a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel.
Sergeant LaQuitta Wade, the public information officer with BPD, stated, “We don’t believe he was the target in this shooting.” Sheila described the heartbreaking nature of the incident, emphasizing that Coleman was in the final stage of ALS, making it senseless for someone to commit such a violent act against him. Fortunately, there were no additional injuries reported, and as of now, no suspects have been apprehended.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities continue to gather information to bring clarity to the circumstances surrounding Coleman’s tragic passing. The community is left in shock and mourning over the loss of a beloved member, and updates on the case will be provided as new details emerge in the ongoing investigation.