In the North Titusville community of Birmingham, Alabama, a burst of gunfire on the afternoon of March 31, 2026, tragically ended the life of 45-year-old Derrick Antonio Blackman. The shooting occurred on the front porch of a residence in the 300 block of Iota Avenue, where Blackman was found suffering from his injuries. Despite the efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident marked another homicide in a year that was already raising community concerns about increasing violence.
The Birmingham Police Department swiftly launched a homicide investigation into Blackman's death. Within 48 hours, their efforts led to a significant development in the case. On April 1, 2026, officers with the VCAT team apprehended a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting. The individual taken into custody was identified as 39-year-old Jimmy Hollis.
Following his arrest, Jimmy Hollis was charged with the murder of Derrick Antonio Blackman. He was subsequently booked into the Jefferson County Jail, where he is being held without bond. While an arrest has been made, authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive for the shooting as the investigation continues. The case is one of several homicides that have occurred in Birmingham in the early months of 2026, prompting calls from residents for increased safety measures.
