Tragedy Under the I-65 Bridge: The Fatal Shooting of Anthony DeAngelo Avila
BIRMINGHAM, AL — In the pale light of an early morning, the bustling city was just beginning to stir when tragedy struck in the heart of downtown Birmingham. Beneath the sprawling concrete arms of the I-65 overpass, near the 1000 block of Second Avenue North, a man’s life came to a sudden and violent end. Anthony DeAngelo Avila, 38 years old, was found shot and unresponsive by responding officers shortly after dawn.
The fatal incident occurred on the morning of [Insert Date Here], a quiet weekday that was shattered by gunfire in the shadow of the Church of the Reconciler, a known landmark in the area often surrounded by individuals experiencing homelessness and others seeking social services. What reportedly began as a loud verbal dispute quickly escalated into violence—an argument turned fatal confrontation just steps away from a place meant to offer refuge.
Timeline of the Incident
At 6:17 a.m., Birmingham police received a call regarding a disturbance and possible shooting near the underpass. Multiple callers reported hearing yelling followed by a single, sharp gunshot. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Anthony Avila lying on the ground, bleeding and unresponsive. Despite rapid response from emergency medical personnel, who arrived within minutes, there was little they could do.
By 6:30 a.m., paramedics pronounced him deceased.
His lifeless body, illuminated by the breaking daylight filtering through the gaps in the overpass, marked the city’s latest act of senseless violence. He became another statistic in Birmingham’s ongoing struggle with gun-related homicides, but to his family and loved ones, he was far more than a name on a police blotter.
Identity and Background
Anthony DeAngelo Avila was 38 years old. Little is currently known about his background, including his ties to the area or whether he had been staying nearby. Police have not released further information about his residence or employment history, and public records offer limited insight. At this time, investigators say there is no confirmed connection between Avila and the shooter, whose identity remains unknown.
Family members have been notified of his death. A cousin, who asked not to be named, described him as “a kind soul who fell on hard times, but never stopped trying to rise back up.” Condolences have poured in from friends and distant relatives across social media, expressing shock, sorrow, and a demand for justice.
Ongoing Investigation
The Birmingham Police Department’s Homicide Unit has taken over the investigation. Detectives are currently canvassing the area for surveillance footage, potential witnesses, and other evidence that might shed light on the suspect’s identity. As of this writing, no arrests have been made, and the shooter remains at large.
Authorities have described the situation as “fluid and active.” While a motive has not yet been confirmed, investigators believe the altercation was not random. However, the relationship—if any—between the shooter and Avila remains unclear.
“We are asking anyone who may have seen or heard something, no matter how minor it may seem, to come forward,” said Sgt. Justin McMillian of the Birmingham PD. “This was a senseless act of violence that left a man dead in our streets. Someone out there knows what happened.”
Community Response
The shooting has drawn renewed concern over safety and resources in the downtown corridor, particularly under and around the city’s elevated highways. The stretch under the I-65 bridge has long been a gathering spot for vulnerable populations—those experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, or substance dependency.
Local community organizers have expressed grief over the death and renewed calls for enhanced outreach programs, better lighting, and increased patrols in the area. “We can’t continue to allow places of refuge to turn into places of tragedy,” said Jennifer Crayton of the Bridge Outreach Coalition, a local nonprofit that offers meals and support services in the neighborhood. “We failed Anthony this morning. We can’t keep failing others.”
The Church of the Reconciler, where the argument reportedly began, released a brief statement:
“We are heartbroken by the violence that claimed a life so close to our doors. Our mission has always been one of peace, compassion, and community healing. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Avila, and we remain committed to providing sanctuary and support for those in need.”
A Life Remembered
Though Anthony DeAngelo Avila’s life ended beneath a bridge in the early hours of the day, his story now becomes a rallying cry—a reminder of the urgent need for community care, justice, and compassion.
His family, though currently requesting privacy, has asked that those who knew Anthony remember him not for how he died, but for how he lived: a man who laughed easily, cared deeply, and, despite life’s challenges, carried hope with him wherever he went.
As investigators continue their search for answers, one truth remains indisputable—a life was taken too soon, and a city mourns another soul lost to violence.
