Willy Brown, a 41-year-old man from Birmingham, Alabama, was shot and killed late on Sunday night, November 20, 2016, on Cotton Avenue. Police were dispatched to the 1100 block of Cotton Avenue at about 11:16 p.m. after a call reporting someone had been shot. Officers found Brown on the ground near a vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Early accounts describe a confrontation that escalated quickly. Police said a verbal altercation preceded the gunfire but were not certain whether Brown had drawn or possessed a weapon. One report said Brown and another man were on their way to visit a woman hosting a gathering when they exchanged words and the other man shot him. Witnesses reportedly were not cooperating, and detectives said uncertainty remained about whether weapons were displayed. Investigators also said a suspect contacted law enforcement shortly after the shooting to surrender and was detained and questioned; no formal charges were described in those initial reports.

If anyone has information about the events on Cotton Avenue that night or knew Willy Brown, please share what you know with investigators.