A locksmith was shot dead Saturday evening in apparent dispute over money with a customer at a west Birmingham gas station.

West Precinct officers were dispatched at 6:10 p.m. to the Chevron at 2161 Bessemer Road on a report of a shooting.

They arrived to find an adult male on the ground near the gas pumps. He had been shot and was pronounced dead on the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald said the victim had been called to the gas station to help another man with some type of key service. It is believed the locksmith unlocked the man’s vehicle, which was at a gas pump.

Once the service was completed, an apparent dispute erupted over money. The two men got into a physical altercation, and then shots were fired.

The customer who fired the shots remained on the scene and called 911. He is in custody and will undergo questioning by detectives.

Fitzgerald said detectives will also interview witnesses and analyze security footage.

“It was pretty senseless,’’ Fitzgerald said. “From the evidence I’ve observed, it went from zero to 100 quickly.”

“This is just another case of people turning to gunfire to solve simple disputes,’’ he said.

The deadly shooting is Birmingham’s 12th homicide so far this year in the city.