Ivey offers rewards in ‘heinous’ shooting of 2 Birmingham firefighters, orders flags lowered

Ivey offers rewards in ‘heinous’ shooting of 2 Birmingham firefighters, orders flags lowered

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is offering two $5,000 rewards for information in the shooting of two Birmingham firefighters that left one of them dead, and the other seriously injured.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Firefighter Jordan Melton died Monday at UAB Hospital, five days after he and Firefighter Jamal Jones were wounded in what police say was a targeted attack at Fire Station 9 in the Norwood community.

Jones remains hospitalized.

“I join with all Alabamians in offering prayers for the family and colleagues of Firefighter Melton over their loss, and I pray for the full recovery of Firefighter Jones,’’ Ivey said in a statement released Tuesday.

“Furthermore, I am offering two $5,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this heinous crime against two of Birmingham’s dedicated first responders. We will not rest until justice is served.”

Ivey ordered all flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of fallen Birmingham Firefighter Jordan Melton once his arrangements have been announced.

The governor’s reward brings the total of reward money to up to $25,000. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $15,000.

Melton, who pronounced dead at 6:06 p.m. Monday, had only been a firefighter for several weeks.

Birmingham police and Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service were called about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 12, to Station 9 at 1228 27th St. North, where the firefighters had reportedly been shot in the chest and legs.

At least one caller reported hearing shots and ran to take cover in the bathroom.

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond last week said the shooter entered the fire station through the open bay door, which typically remains open to be accessible to residents who need their blood pressure checked or other help or information.

Birmingham firefighters Jamal Jones and Jordan Melton were shot while on duty at Fire Station 9 on July 12, 2023. (Carol Robinson )

The shooting happened shortly after they started their shift.

The early indication is that this was a targeted attack, Thurmond said.

“We don’t know why it would be a targeted attack, that’s one of the things we’re trying to determine,’’ Thurmond said. “It’s extremely unusual for someone to come target one of our fire stations and so we’re trying to see why would someone want to target one of these fire stations in Birmingham.”

“I find it extremely troubling that they would be targeted,’’ the chief said. “I hate to say it but unfortunately, I think police would be the bigger targets. Our firefighters are there to protect and aid and rescue our citizens and to see them critically injured is troubling, disheartening.”

The chief said at least one other firefighter was inside the station when the shooting happened. That firefighter was not injured.

Asked if it could be personal in nature versus a random attack on the profession itself, Thurmond said, “That’s one of the issues we’re looking at when we say, ‘Is there a connection? What is that connection if there is one?’ We just don’t know at this point in time.

“Is it professional? Is it personal? Is it none of the above?’’ Thurmond said last week. “We just don’t know.”

“I’m absolutely heartbroken by this senseless and tragic act of gun violence against our brothers,’’ said Fire Chief Cory Moon said Monday night. “”We will continue to wrap our arms around Jordan’s family to support them. Please continue to pray for them and the BFRS family.”

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin released this statement:

“My heart is hurting today.

“It devastates me to share that we’ve lost our own firefighter Jordan Melton. But before I talk about Jordan the public servant, I want to celebrate Jordan the man.

“Jordan was a vibrant young brother who was full of life. He loved to talk sports as much as he loved good barbecue. He had a brilliant mind for business, but he was always down to lighten the mood with a joke or two. He was also a wonderful son to his mother, who has been his rock in these difficult past few days.

“Though Jordan had served at Birmingham Fire and Rescue for more than a year, he had just graduated from the recruit academy one month ago.

“When I look at his photo, you can see the potential and pride in his eyes. So much of that potential will now go unrealized.

“Jordan had developed close ties with his fellow firefighters, which makes this loss all the more tragic. Birmingham Fire is so much more than a collection of employees, they are a family in every sense of the word. And right now, that family is in a lot of pain.

“I ask that you join me in wrapping our arms around Jordan’s family today. They’ve lost a son, a brother, a friend and colleague. Know that we’re exhausting every resource to find answers and justice for Jordan’s loved ones.

“Jordan paid the ultimate price for his service to our city, we will not let that sacrifice be in vain. We are his family, and his memory will be honored.”

No arrests have been made.

Melton is Birmingham’s 77th homicide this year.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-25-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.