On a late summer evening in Birmingham, Alabama, the life of Stevens Hicks, a 48-year-old Black / African American man, was tragically cut short. On August 31, 2014, what should have been a holiday weekend took a violent turn outside the Showstoppers Motorcycle Club. A dispute between several biker groups erupted into chaos and gunfire, leaving a scene of turmoil and loss in its wake.
In the midst of the altercation, Stevens Hicks, the president of the Wheels of Soul Motorcycle Club, was
shot. The incident, which occurred over the Labor Day weekend, resulted in the death of not only Hicks but another individual as well, with two others sustaining injuries from the crossfire. The sudden violence of that night left friends and family to grapple with the unexpected and profound loss of a man known within his community.
Following the deadly encounter, an investigation was launched to bring those responsible to justice. This led to the arrest of James Armstrong, who was subsequently charged with the murder of Stevens Hicks. The legal process unfolded, and the case against Armstrong proceeded to trial in a Jefferson County courtroom.
After the presentation of evidence and testimony, the jury deliberated the fate of James Armstrong. In November 2016, after three hours of consideration, the jury returned with their verdict. They found James Armstrong not guilty of the murder of Stevens Hicks, closing a chapter in the search for legal accountability for his death.
