Record Reward in Birmingham Mass Shooting Still Stands After Arrest: How Does the Process Work?

A huge cash reward offered for information about the deadly shooting in Five Points South in Birmingham remains in place despite an arrest in the case.

The $100,000 reward – offered by Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama and the FBI – is the largest in Crime Stoppers history.

So far, authorities said, no one has been designated for a cash reward in the Hush Lounge shooting, but it is still early in the process and the investigation is ongoing.

“Crime Stoppers has received more than 120 tips about this case. All tips were forwarded to detectives,” said Crime Stoppers Executive Director Bob Copus. “At this time, Birmingham Police have not informed Crime Stoppers of the status of these tips that led to this arrest.”

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond said more than 300 tips have been submitted through Crime Stoppers or the department’s QR code that was established to obtain information about the case.

“We’ve never gotten so many tips before anyway,” Thurmond said.

Birmingham police Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said because of the ongoing investigation, detectives are not yet sure who, if anyone, will be rewarded for the tips submitted.

And, she said, as the investigation continues, tips are still being sought.

Read full coverage of the mass shooting here

The largest reward before the one offered in the mass shooting was $25,000 following the kidnapping of Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney. The 3-year-old was kidnapped from a birthday party in 2019 and later found murdered. Two people were arrested and convicted.

“It’s a life-changing reward,” said Crime Stoppers board chairman Frank Barefield, “and you’re completely anonymous.”

The FBI’s $50,000 reward is for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

The $50,000 offered by Crime Stoppers is for information leading to the identity of the suspects and does not require a conviction.

Crime Stoppers board members, who are notified by police when a tip comes in, vote weekly on reward distributions.

Rewards are frequently paid and distributed in both the investigations of Cupcake McKinney’s death and the murder of Mahogany Jackson.

When a tipster calls Crime Stoppers or submits a tip via text or app, they receive a unique identification number. Crime Stoppers and police never know any identifying information about the informant.

A computer program generates the recommended amount of reward money based on the level of crime and other variables. Once the board votes to issue the reward, the tipster is notified via their ID number – usually via the app – that they have a message.

They are then given a unique collection number and directed to a safe location to receive their cash reward. The person handing out the money has no idea it’s a Crime Stoppers reward.

“We don’t know who they are,” Copus said. “The person giving them the money doesn’t know who they are.”

“This is working and it’s working well,” Copus said.

Earlier this week, police announced the arrest of 22-year-old Damien Laron McDaniel III in the mass shooting.

He is charged with capital murder of two or more people in the Five Points South massacre that killed four people on Sept. 21, and 17 counts of first-degree assault for those injured.

Killed were Carlos McCain, 27, Roderick Lynn Patterson Jr., 26, Anitra Holloman, 21, and Tahj Booker, 27. Seventeen others – believed to be innocent bystanders – suffered injuries ranging from superficial to critical.

Police say several gunmen fired more than 100 shots — including automatic fire — at a long line of people waiting to get into Hush. Investigators quickly said they believe the barrage of gunfire was a “hit” — a murder-for-hire targeting at least one of the men killed in the shooting.

McDaniel is also charged with murder in the Sept. 19 shooting death of Diontranet Tinae Brown, a 35-year-old mother who police say was an innocent bystander shot to death inside the 604 Bar and Lounge on Ninth Street North.

He faces an additional charge of capital murder in the robbery and shooting death of 32-year-old Jamarcus McIntyre, who died in a hail of gunfire in the 700 block of 81st Place South, less than 24 hours after the Five Points South shooting.

Additionally, McDaniel is charged with three counts of attempted murder in the Sept. 22 shooting that not only killed McIntyre but left two others injured.

Police say all three homicide cases are linked, but have not publicly disclosed what linked the deaths.

Three other people were also charged with capital murder in McIntyre’s killing – Ny’Quan Cordae Lollar, 22, Larry Denzel Rollins, Jr., 31, and Demarco Nakia Beck Jr., 29.

Charging documents state McIntyre was killed while a backpack and its contents were stolen.

In the Five Points South mass shooting, Thurmond said investigators are still working on the theory that the volley of automatic gunfire was a “hit” — a murder-for-hire targeting at least one of the men killed in the shooting.

He said he would not identify who police believe was the target, but two of the victims were implicated in previous killings in Birmingham.

“There could be a number of motives for that individual who we believe was targeted. Others could have been targeted,” Thurmond said previously. “We are still investigating this.”

“Some of the individuals killed have extensive criminal records, and because of that, there is often motivation from others, and there are people willing to pay to have them killed,” the chief said.

Multiple agencies are assisting in the investigation, including the FBI, ATF, DEA, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Marshals Service.

Thurmond said investigators have worked around the clock since the murders nearly a month ago.

“We have six people who lost their lives, not to mention 17 people who were injured in the mass shooting in the 5 Points South entertainment district,” Thurmond said, adding that the impact and magnitude is “tremendous for our city, our community.” . , our businesspeople, police authorities. The number of hours invested in this investigation is astronomical.”

More charges are expected.

“Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama was pleased to learn that arrests are being made in this case,” Copus said. “Holding violent offenders accountable for their actions is a key component in creating a safe community.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.