In a tragic development Tuesday night, Birmingham police discovered the bodies of two individuals who were fatally shot in a car parked outside an abandoned house on Princeton Avenue S.W. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as 16-year-old Alexis Elizabeth Wise and 21-year-old Joshua Wayne Parsons, both residents of Hueytown. This incident has deepened concerns across Birmingham, a city already grappling with a rise in violent crimes involving young people.
The events unfolded after Birmingham police received a call around 10:29 p.m. reporting a suspicious vehicle that had come to a halt on the sidewalk outside vacant houses in the 1300 block of Princeton Avenue. According to initial accounts, a passerby noticed the vehicle moving slowly in reverse before it stopped abruptly on the sidewalk, its path interrupted by multiple bullet holes. Responding officers approached the car, a sedan, to find Wise and Parsons inside, unresponsive and bearing gunshot wounds. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service arrived shortly afterward and pronounced both individuals dead at the scene by 10:47 p.m.
No immediate reports of gunfire came from neighbors, leaving investigators to piece together the circumstances surrounding the incident. Preliminary assessments by police indicate the shots may have been fired from within the vehicle itself, suggesting a possible dispute or conflict occurring inside the car. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, speaking on the incident, highlighted the unsettling nature of the crime and expressed a deep concern for the increasing number of young people affected by violence in the city.
The deaths of Wise and Parsons come amid a week marked by tragedy in Birmingham, as this incident represents the second teen shooting fatality in just a few days. Earlier on Tuesday, Birmingham lost another young life when 17-year-old Gerald Andre Lomax Jr., a high school senior at Jackson-Olin High School, was fatally shot in a separate incident. Lomax’s death has shaken the local community and school, underscoring the urgent need for addressing the gun violence plaguing the area. In both cases, the loss of these young individuals has struck a chord with residents who fear the implications of a persistent cycle of violence on Birmingham’s youth.
Currently, the investigation into the shooting of Wise and Parsons remains ongoing, with police seeking any information that could shed light on what led to the deadly encounter. Law enforcement has not yet identified any suspects or made any arrests, leaving many questions unanswered as detectives work to establish a clearer picture of the events. In a public appeal, authorities are urging anyone with knowledge about the case to come forward and assist in the investigation. Individuals with information can reach Birmingham homicide detectives directly at 205-254-1764 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
The city’s leadership, alongside law enforcement and community advocates, has continued to emphasize the importance of community support in addressing the root causes of violence and fostering a safer environment. In recent years, Birmingham has implemented various initiatives aimed at reducing violent crime, from youth mentorship programs to increased police patrols in high-crime areas. However, incidents such as these underscore the complexity of the problem and the need for comprehensive, sustained efforts to ensure lasting change.
This tragic event serves as a grim reminder of the dangers facing young people in Birmingham and the urgent need for community-driven solutions to tackle the surge in violence. As the investigation progresses, city officials and residents alike are calling for unity and vigilance to prevent further loss of life and to bring justice to the families affected by this senseless act.
