A dispute in Birmingham’s Lakeview District turned deadly on the morning of December 16, 2023, when 28-year-old Antonio Deandre Benson was killed during an exchange of gunfire. The shooting happened just before 3 a.m. on 29th Street South, an area with bars and a food truck that was crowded at the time. Police say an argument between two groups of men escalated into a physical fight and then both groups opened fire; several vehicles were also struck by gunfire.

Off-duty officers working security at a nearby bar heard the shots. Responding on-duty officers found two men had been shot; Antonio Benson was pronounced dead at the scene and a second man was taken to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Investigators identified two brothers as suspects and on December 21 authorities arrested them. Dearius Davis, 24, was charged with murder in connection with Benson’s death; 26-year-old Dequantez Davis was charged with attempted murder and was released on bond the same afternoon he was taken into custody.

If anyone witnessed the shooting on 29th Street South that morning or has information about what led to the argument, please share what is known with investigators.