2 Homicides Under Investigation In Birmingham Tuesday

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Birmingham Police Department is investigating two homicides that occurred Tuesday, one as a result of a fire and the other a shooting.

The fire occurred just before 6 p.m. at an apartment in the 1900 block of 15th Avenue South. Officer Truman Fitzgerald of the Birmingham Police Department said officers responded to reports of a fire at the location and found two men inside the apartment, one of whom was dead.

"While on the scene, officers observed evidence which led to this incident being investigated as a homicide," Fitzgerald said. "Officers did take a male on the scene into custody."

Less than 30 minutes later, officers from the North Precinct were dispatched to the 2700 block of 29th Avenue North on the report of a person down in the roadway reportedly struck by a vehicle. The victim has been identified as 60-year-old Arthur Lee Swift.

"Officers arrived on the scene and observed a male victim lying unresponsive in the roadway suffering from an apparent gunshot wound," Fitzgerald said. "Birmingham Fire and Rescue
personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced the victim deceased."

No suspects are in custody in this case.

Anyone with information on either of these cases is asked to contact the Birmingham PD Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764.