In the summer of 2023, a tragedy unfolded in Birmingham, Alabama, that cut short the life of Cardarrius Bryant, a 30-year-old Black male from Fultondale. On the morning of Thursday, July 13th, police were called to the 500 block of Zinnia Lane after reports of shots fired. Upon their arrival, they discovered a grim scene: a vehicle that had been riddled with bullets. Inside, they found the bodies of Cardarrius Bryant and another man, 28-year-old Deforest Chanier Kines Jr. of Birmingham.
Both men were unresponsive and had sustained apparent gunshot wounds. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel arrived shortly after, but it was too late; both men were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation into the double homicide was launched by the Birmingham Police Department, but details surrounding the case have been scarce. As of early 2025, no arrests have been made, and the case has been described as having gone cold. Investigators have urged anyone with information to come forward and have provided contact information for the B.P.D. Homicide Unit and Crime Stoppers.
In an effort to bring justice for her son, Cardarrius's mother, Cara Bryant, has taken matters into her own hands. Nearly two years after her son was gunned down, she has offered $5,000 of her own money as a reward for information, in addition to the $5,000 offered by Crime Stoppers. She expressed hope that a doubled reward might motivate someone to come forward with the information needed to solve the case. Described as a 'mama's boy' who was good with math and loved football, Cardarrius was a father of three whose children are still left with questions about their dad's death. His mother remembers him as someone who, despite not being perfect, did not harm anyone, making his violent death all the more shocking to his family.
