In the quiet evening of May 23, 2022, David Gibbs Westbrook, Jr., a 50-year-old male, had just finished walking his dog at a soccer field in Birmingham, Alabama. A dedicated researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for over two decades, he was also a compassionate volunteer for Birmingham AIDS Outreach. As he sat in his vehicle in the 100 block of 54th Street North, preparing to leave, his life was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence.
Around 10:51 p.m., an
unknown individual approached Westbrook's car. The suspect, described as a male wearing dark track pants with a white stripe down the leg and a gray hooded sweatshirt with a light-colored design on the chest, opened fire as Westbrook attempted to back out of his parking space. The vehicle then collided with a utility pole. When Birmingham Police officers arrived at the scene, they found Westbrook inside, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite the efforts of Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Birmingham Police Department launched a homicide investigation into Westbrook's death. Surveillance footage captured a person of interest running from the area, and authorities have released this video to the public in the hopes of generating leads. Despite these efforts and a reward of up to $20,000 offered by Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama for information leading to an arrest, the case remains unsolved.
The community, including his colleagues at UAB and his friends, remembers David Westbrook as a wonderful and valued individual. His friends and family continue to seek answers and justice. The investigation into his murder is ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.
