Man killed in unsolved 2022 quadruple Birmingham shooting to be remembered with birthday party, balloon release
Friends and family will gather this weekend to remember a 24-year-old man killed in a double homicide in Birmingham almost one year ago.
Jalen “Hector” Tolbert would have turned 25 next week.
“He would have been so excited,’’ said his older brother, Hakeem Tolbert. “He loved birthdays.”
A block party in his honor will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday on Terrace Q, which a balloon release to take place at 7 p.m.
“He knew I always did something for his birthday,’’ Hakeem said.
The deadly shooting happened Sept. 3, 2022, in Elyton Village. Hector and 25-year-old Marquse Yarbrough were killed in the hail of gunfire, and two other people were injured.
Police said officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Third Avenue West on a call of multiple people shot in the area. The police were notified by Shot Spotter, the city’s gunfire detection system, as well as 911 calls from community members.
Shot Spotter picked up at least 25 rounds.
One person was killed, and two others injured when someone unleashed at least two dozen bullets on Birmingham’s west side Saturday. (Carol Robinson)
Once on the scene, officers found the three men wounded in the alley.
Hector was pronounced dead on the scene. Yarbrough was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The other two victims, including Hector’s cousin, survived.
Hector was a 2016 graduate of Parker High School and had just started a new job at Birmingham Fastener, a steel manufacturer in Ensley.
Hakeem said his brother said he had completed the Dannon Project – a non-profit organization that helps unemployed or underemployed at-risk youth and non-violent returning citizens reentering society – to learn his trade and had a bright future.
“He was just a loveable person, and he would help you if he could,’’ he said. “He wouldn’t harm a fly.”
Jalen “Hector” Tolbert, 24, was shot to death Sept. 3, 2022, in Birmingham. His family and friends are heartbroken over his death. (Contributed)
Police at the scene said they believed there were multiple suspects involved.
No arrests have been made, but Hakeem said he isn’t giving up hope that the killer or killers will be found.
He said he believes he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and not the target of the gunfire.
“From what I was told, and I know for sure, it had nothing to do with my brother,’’ Hakeem said. “He got killed over someone else’s mess. It had nothing to do with him.”
He said he has provided all the information he has heard to police investigators and is frustrated no arrests have been made.
“I want justice,’’ Hakeem said. “He was killed for nothing.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.