BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In a series of events that has shaken Jefferson County, a suspect believed to be responsible for multiple homicides, including two mass shootings, has been arrested and charged with a slew of serious offenses spanning over 14 months. Damien McDaniel faces charges linked to 14 individual deaths, marking a dramatic escalation in a long-running investigation by local authorities.
Recent charges against McDaniel include his alleged involvement in the targeted fatal shooting of Birmingham firefighter Jordan Melton, and the attempted murder of Melton’s colleague, Jamal Jones, at Fire Station 9 in the Norwood neighborhood on July 12, 2023. Melton succumbed to his injuries five days after the attack, evoking deep community sorrow and a strong call for justice from city officials.
“Jordan was a beacon of joy and camaraderie, always ready to share a laugh or engage in thoughtful discussion,” commented Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. He continued, “Jordan’s tragic departure is a stark reminder of the frailty of peace in our community, and it compels us to rally behind his grieving family and seek justice vehemently.”
Further investigations tied McDaniel to the homicide of Mia Nickson, found deceased in Oak Ridge Park in January 2024, as well as the murder of UPS employee Anthony Love Jr. in April of the same year. Both incidents bore the markers of targeted attacks, adding layers to McDaniel’s alleged campaign of violence.
Adding to the brutality, the mass shooting at Trendsetters Lounge on July 13, 2024, left three dead and several injured. This attack occurred during a birthday celebration, abruptly turning a night of festivity into one of horror. McDaniel, along with another suspect, Hatarius Woods, face multiple counts of capital murder and first-degree assault relating to this attack.
On August 13, 2024, a sequence of violence in the Vice Hills area led to the murder of 61-year-old Charlie Herbert Moore during a burglary. The complex investigation that followed resulted in charges against McDaniel and additional suspects, further implicating him in a web of lethal criminal activity across the city.
The violence attributed to McDaniel continued with two more shootings in September 2024, including the deadly attack at the 604 Bar & Lounge, where Diontranet Tinae Brown was critically injured and later succumbed to her injuries at UAB Hospital.
One of the most harrowing incidents, a mass shooting outside Hush, a popular hookah lounge, culminated in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 17 others. The shootings seemed to originate from a targeted altercation, amplifying the issues of gun violence and public safety within bustling nightlife spots.
McDaniel’s arrest in October was announced by the then Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond, who detailed the charges spanned across multiple incidents, underscoring a major breakthrough in a series of investigations that had strained local law enforcement resources.
Furthermore, the case took on additional complexity with the murder of Jamarcus McIntyre the day following the Hush lounge shooting. This incident, which seemed isolated, resulted in McDaniel facing further counts of capital murder, alongside the arrest of three additional suspects linked to drug trafficking.
The arrest of McDaniel and the subsequent charges represent a significant stride towards addressing the ongoing issue of gun violence in Birmingham, reflecting broader national issues that cities across the United States continue to grapple with. As the community reels from the shock of these violent acts, the pursuit of justice remains paramount, with local leaders and law enforcement reinforcing their commitment to restoring peace and security.