Witnesses, clues sought in Christmas 2017 shooting deaths of couple inside Ensley home

Witnesses, clues sought in Christmas 2017 shooting deaths of couple inside Ensley home

It was the day after Christmas five years ago that a husband and wife were found shot to death inside their Ensley home, yet the killer or killers still remain free.

Birmingham’s West Precinct officers were dispatched to the 1600 Block of 30th Street Ensley just before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, after a neighbor called 911 to report someone shot.

When police arrived on the scene, they saw damage to the front door and found the couple – Anthony Shuford, 53, and Stella Truitt, 54 – lying on the floor. Both were pronounced dead on the scene.

Police Sgt. Monica Law said Thursday few leads have come in regarding the double homicide in the five years since it’s been under investigation.

“Any information, no matter how small, could help solve this case,’’ Law said. “We’re asking for your help.”

Anthony Shuford and Stella Truitt (Contributed)

Dozens of friends and family members gathered outside of the crime scene tape that morning, visibly emotional about the deaths.

Many had heard about Shuford’s death, were actively trying to locate Truitt on her cell phone, believing she may have been at work. It wasn’t until later they learned that she, too, had been killed.

Friends on the scene that day said the couple’s home was equipped with a video surveillance system, but police have not said whether that yielded any clues.

Police at the time said it didn’t not appear to be a random killing.

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