On a Monday evening in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 8, 2017, a dispute between acquaintances turned fatal, ending the life of 63-year-old Robert Washington, a Black male. That night, officers were dispatched to a call of a person shot, and upon arrival, they discovered Mr. Washington suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to UAB Hospital for medical attention, but his injuries proved too severe, and he was pronounced dead.
Investigators at the scene began to piece together the events that led to the deadly shooting. According to Birmingham police, Mr. Washington was familiar with the individual who shot him. An argument between the two men escalated into a physical altercation. In the heat of the moment, the other man produced a firearm and shot Mr. Washington. It is believed that after the initial shot, the assailant may have stood over him and fired several more times before escaping on foot.
In the days following the shooting, the Birmingham Police Department continued their investigation into the death of Robert Washington. They believed the incident was not a random act of violence, given the prior relationship between the victim and the shooter. Despite this lead, the suspect's identity was not immediately released to the public.
As time passed, public information regarding an arrest in the case did not materialize. The initial reports detailed the circumstances of the shooting and the police's belief that the victim knew his attacker, but subsequent news about the identification of a suspect, an arrest, or any charges being filed has not been made available. The case of who killed Robert Washington remains without a public resolution.
