Raymond Cotton Jr., a 42-year-old Black man, was shot and killed on December 25, 2021, in Birmingham, Alabama. Officers from the Birmingham Police Department’s West Precinct responded about 2:40 p.m. to the 1700 block of 29th Avenue North after a report of a person shot. Birmingham Fire and Rescue transported Cotton to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Police homicide detectives say the shooting appeared to arise from an argument that escalated, but details about the dispute have not been released. In the days after the killing authorities announced a suspect had been taken into custody; the suspect’s identity and any charges have not been made public and the investigation remains ongoing.

The family was present when the shooting occurred and has been left grieving. If anyone who knew Raymond or who witnessed the incident has information, please come forward to assist the investigation.