An Alabama individual facing homicide charges in connection with two significant mass shootings entered a not guilty plea during state court proceedings on Wednesday.
Damien McDaniel, aged 22, is alleged to have taken the lives of 11 individuals from July to September of the previous year in Birmingham, Alabama, which represents over 7% of the city’s total homicides for 2024. Additionally, McDaniel is accused of injuring 29 others during this timeframe.
Defense attorney John Robbins emphasized that he has yet to review any evidence related to the case, declaring that even should he receive such evidence, he would be unable to disclose details due to the ongoing nature of the judicial process.
Robbins stated, “We’re assembling a strong defense team to ensure fairness throughout this process and to uphold his rights.”
Eight of the 11 capital murder allegations stem from two separate mass shootings in Birmingham that occurred in 2024. The first incident unfolded outside a nightclub in July, resulting in four fatalities and injuring 10 additional individuals. Another suspect, 27-year-old Hatarius Woods, faces similar capital murder charges related to this July shooting.
The second mass shooting transpired outside a different nightclub in September, claiming the lives of four people and injuring 17. According to a spokesperson for the local police department, “multiple shooters” were involved in the September incident, and investigations continue.
Birmingham recorded a total of three mass shootings in 2024.
McDaniel is additionally linked to three other deadly shootings that occurred across separate days in August and September, culminating in a total of 11 homicides attributed to him.
The Birmingham Police Department reported a total of 151 homicides for 2024, marking the highest figures since 1933, a year in which there were 148 murders.
Speaking at a November press conference, Birmingham Police Department spokesperson Truman Fitzgerald remarked, “These individuals began their criminal activities in July and continued this behavior into September.” He added, “At these crime scenes, we often identify a small number of criminals whose actions tarnish Birmingham’s reputation.”
