In the late summer of 2018, the life of a promising young man, 16-year-old William Edwards, was tragically cut short in his Birmingham, Alabama home. A junior at Woodlawn High School and a captain of the football team, Edwards was inside his family's residence on 80th Street North when he was fatally wounded by gunfire.
The incident occurred just after midnight on Saturday, September 1, 2018. Birmingham police officers from the East Precinct were dispatched to the home around 12:30 a.m.
after the city's gunfire detection system, Shot Spotter, alerted them to the shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered the unresponsive teenager inside the house. Authorities later stated that the bullets that killed Edwards were fired from outside the home and that they did not believe the shooting was a random act of violence.
The news of the young male's death sent ripples of shock and grief through the Woodlawn community. In the wake of the tragedy, grief counselors were made available at Woodlawn High School to support students and staff members struggling with the loss of a classmate and team captain.
The investigation into the homicide led to a significant development within days. On Tuesday, September 11, 2018, Birmingham police announced the arrest of 17-year-old Rodrick Hodges. Hodges was subsequently charged with capital murder in connection with William Edwards' death. While a motive for the shooting was not immediately released by law enforcement, the victim's mother shared that she was told Hodges and her son were not acquainted and that Hodges allegedly claimed he was paid to carry out the shooting. Following his arrest, Rodrick Hodges was held in the Jefferson County Jail.
