On the late afternoon of September 24, 2024, a dispute at a Big Boy Convenience Store in southwest Birmingham, Alabama, escalated into gunfire. Twenty-six-year-old Malike Williams and another man were both armed when shots were exchanged. Williams was struck and died while being transported to UAB Hospital.

After detectives presented their investigation to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, the DA concluded the shooting was justifiable given the armed confrontation and declined to pursue criminal charges against the other person involved.

Less than four hours after Williams died, his close friend, 34-year-old Damone Gardner, was shot and killed in what investigators think may have been an argument connected to Williams’ death. Police later arrested a suspect, identified as Brandon Gemson, on a murder warrant in Gardner’s killing; he is being held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond.

If anyone has information about the shootings or knew Williams, please share what you know with investigators.