Firefighter dies after ‘targeted attack’ on Alabama fire station

Authorities in Birmingham, Alabama, are searching for leads and a motive in a daytime shooting at a city firehouse this month that left one on-duty firefighter dead and another wounded.

Few details have emerged since the July 12 shooting, though the Birmingham police chief, Scott Thurmond, has described it as a “targeted attack.”

“It’s extremely unusual for someone to come target one of our fire stations,” the chief said at a news conference on the day of the shooting. He added, “I find it extremely troubling.”

The firefighter who was killed, Jordan Melton, 29, had graduated from the recruit academy at Birmingham Fire and Rescue just a month earlier, said the city’s mayor, Randall Woodfin.

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“We’re exhausting every resource to find answers and justice for Jordan’s loved ones,” Woodfin said in a statement. “Jordan paid the ultimate price for his service to our city. We will not let that sacrifice be in vain.”

According to the police, a suspect — or suspects — shot the two firefighters inside Fire Station 9, in the Norwood neighborhood of Birmingham. The attack, which was reported around 8:30 am, appeared to have taken place near the station’s bay doors.

Melton died days after the shooting, on July 17. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday.

Jamal Jones, the other firefighter who was shot, was said to be in serious condition on the day of the shooting. Additional information on his condition was not immediately available. Efforts to reach the Birmingham Police Department, the fire service and the mayor’s office Sunday were unsuccessful.

Birmingham firefighters honored their co-workers who were attacked in the days after the shooting, and mourned Melton.

“You could not be around Recruit Melton and not smile,” Stan Frierson, a battalion chief, said on Twitter. “I am known as a person who doesn’t smile often, but every time we spoke, it would end with him saying, Chief, smile.”

You could not be around Recruit Melton and not smile. I am known as a person who doesn’t smile often, but every time we spoke, it would end wit him saying, Chief, smile. I want tell anyone you could not be around him and not smile.

📸: Official BFRS Photo (@jvjcompany) pic.twitter.com/k3ccLurb8j

— Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) (@bhamfirerescue) July 19, 2023

Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama said a reward totaling $45,000 was being offered for tips leading to an arrest in the shooting.