The day after Christmas in 2017 brought tragedy to the Ensley neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama. Inside a home on 30th Street, Stella Truitt, a 54-year-old Black woman, and Anthony Shuford, 53, were found murdered, their lives cut short by gun violence. Their families and community were left grieving and searching for answers in the wake of the holiday.
On the morning of Tuesday, December 26, 2017, a neighbor noticed damage to the front door of the couple's residence in the 1600 block
of 30th Street and called the police around 9 a.m. When officers arrived, they entered the home and discovered a devastating scene. Both Ms. Truitt and Mr. Shuford were on the floor, having suffered fatal gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Birmingham Police Department immediately launched a double homicide investigation. Investigators stated that they did not believe the killings were a random act, suggesting the couple may have been targeted. While working through evidence, which included a video surveillance system at the home, police expressed their resolve to find the person or persons responsible. "We have a suspect or suspects who clearly lack an appreciation for life," Sgt. Bryan Shelton said at the time. "They decided to shoot and kill the victims, and that decision wasn’t theirs to make.”
Despite the investigation, a motive for the crime has not been determined, and no arrests have ever been made. The case has grown cold over the years, but authorities have not given up. In November 2022, nearly five years after the killings, the Birmingham Police Department renewed its public appeal for help in solving the case.
As of that appeal, the murders of Stella Truitt and Anthony Shuford remain unsolved. The investigation is still open, and police urge anyone with information to come forward. Detectives can be reached at 205-254-1784, and anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
