Who killed Cornelius May Jr.? Deadly 2022 shootout on busy Birmingham road remains unsolved
Birmingham police are asking for the public’s help in bringing justice in the death of a 20-year-old man one year ago.
Cornelius Arthour May Jr. died Dec. 2, 2022, in a shootout on a busy Birmingham road. Two others were injured.
No arrests have been.
The volley of gunfire erupted about 8 p.m. near the Chevron gas station at 1525 Finley Boulevard.
North Precinct officers were initially dispatched to the scene on a report of multiple people shot and multiple people shooting at each other. When they arrived, they found a vehicle that had crashed into the tree.
Inside the vehicle, police found the 20-year-old May and a female, both of whom had sustained gunshot wounds.
May was pronounced dead on the scene. The female was taken to an area hospital and survived.
Officers then found a third victim who was on foot in the area. Though shot as well, his injuries also were not life-threatening.
Officer Truman Fitzgerald said it appeared the shooting began in the 1600 block of Finley Boulevard. Numerous shell casings were marked in the intersection.
“Let me explain just how bold this incident was,’’ Fitzgerald said at the time. “An officer told me you had two groups shooting at one another in vehicles.”
“One vehicle was trying to flee the scene, and a person gets out of another vehicle in the parking lot and fires additional shots,’’ at the fleeing vehicle, he said.
He said at least some of the shots were fired from the Chevron parking lot.
“When you have individuals shooting at one another in a gas station, not to mention one of the busiest thoroughfares that we have in Birmingham, you risk multiple people getting shot,’’ Fitzgerald said. “Unfortunately, tonight we had 3 people shot and it’s just a tragic night.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.