In the autumn of 2022, the life of 21-year-old Demitris Lendell Silliman Jr., a Black / African American male, was tragically cut short in Birmingham, Alabama. On the evening of Tuesday, October 11, 2022, officers from the Birmingham Police Department's East Precinct were dispatched to the intersection of Penfield Drive and Zion City Road following a report of a person shot.
Upon their arrival, they discovered a black 2010 Chevrolet Impala that had gone off the roadway.
Inside the vehicle, they found Silliman suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel were called to the scene, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced deceased. At the time of his death, Silliman's longtime girlfriend was four months pregnant with their daughter.
The Birmingham Police Department quickly launched a homicide investigation into Silliman's death. Despite their efforts, the case has remained unsolved, with no arrests made or suspects publicly identified. Over a year after the shooting, in October 2023, the police department renewed their call for the public's assistance, urging anyone with information to come forward. They highlighted that tips from the community are often crucial in solving such cases. The tragic story of Silliman's unsolved murder was brought to light again in September 2024, when his girlfriend, the mother of his child, also became a victim of gun violence.
