BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A man in a wheelchair was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting in the Woodlawn community of Birmingham. The victim, identified as 62-year-old Michael Coleman, was known to spend a significant amount of time in the area. The incident occurred near the intersection of 59th Street North and 1st Avenue North, not far from Woodlawn High School and the Birmingham Public Library, as reported by the Birmingham Police Department.
According to officials, Shot Spotter detected multiple rounds fired in the vicinity, prompting officers to respond to the scene at approximately 3 p.m. Coleman was with a group of individuals under a tree near the roadside when a car arrived, and shots were fired. Sheila Coleman, the victim’s sister-in-law, mentioned that people often stopped by to bring Michael lunch and breakfast, highlighting his regular presence in that spot.
Tragically, Coleman was found unresponsive in his wheelchair, having sustained a gunshot wound. Despite efforts by Birmingham Fire and Rescue, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The authorities believe that he was not the intended target of the shooting. SGT LaQuitta Wade, a public information officer with the Birmingham Police Department, expressed the senselessness of the attack on a person battling ALS in its final stages.
No other individuals were harmed during the incident, and there are currently no suspects in custody. The investigation into Coleman’s death is ongoing, with updates expected as more information becomes available. The community mourns the loss of a cherished member, reflecting on the tragic circumstances surrounding his untimely passing.