By Carol Robinson
al.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — One year ago today, a gunman entered Birmingham’s Fire Station 9 and opened fire in the bay, critically wounding two firefighters who had just started their shift.
Firefighter Jordan Melton, 29, died five days later at UAB Hospital. Jamal Jones, who has since been promoted to the rank of sergeant, is still undergoing treatment and has not yet been able to return to work.
Police officials call the deadly shooting one of the most horrific crimes in the city’s recent history, yet no arrests have been made, despite a $46,000 reward.
“Jordan gave his life to the career he loved, and he gave his life to our beloved city,’’ said Birmingham police spokesman Officer Truman Fitzgerald.
“Jamal Jones would go on to be released. He has suffered life-altering emotional and physical injuries.
“We stand before you in pain, we stand before you frustrated and we stand before you sickened because a year later, we still have no one in custody,’’ Fitzgerald said.
“The department,’’ he said, “is committed to holding the ‘pure evil’ responsible for that day and bringing them to justice.”
Melton and Jones were shot just before 8:30 a.m. that Wednesday after they began their shift at the Norwood station.
They were performing routine maintenance in the station’s bay area when a gunman opened fire in what police say was a personal, targeted attack.
“We’re not releasing who we believe was the intended target, but we do believe this was a targeted attack no associated with the two being employed as firefighters,’’ Fitzgerald said.
Birmingham police and Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service were called to the station, at 1228 27th St. North , where the firefighters had reportedly been shot in the chest and legs.
At least one caller reported hearing shots and ran to take cover in the bathroom.
The shooter entered the fire station through the open bay door, which typically remains open to be accessible to residents who need their blood pressure checked or other help or information.
Police have not confirmed reports that the shooter was wearing a mask.
Station 9 remained closed until December.
Fitzgerald and Mayor Randall Woodfin held a joint press conference Friday outside of Fire Station 9.
No new details or information in the case has been released since it happened one year ago, and no potential motive has been disclosed.
“Our detective unit has requested we don’t release any motives or ideas we have surrounding the motives,’’ Fitzgerald said.
Melton was a witness to the 2021 slaying of 27-year-old Eric Tyler Sledge Jr ., a Hoover father. The case went to trial earlier this year, and the suspect was acquitted.
Police have not said whether they have considered that as part of the investigation into Melton’s killing.
Police said earlier this year there was a person of interest but did not elaborate.
“That person of interest is still a person of interest, and we believe there is more than one,’’ Fitzgerald said. “To go into a fire station in broad daylight and shoot two on-duty firefighters, that takes time, that takes planning, and in our experience, we believe that took more than one person.”
Fitzgerald described the lead investigator as experienced and methodical, a detective who leaves no stone unturned.
“But he needs you, we need you,’’ he said, asking community members to come forward with anything they might know.
“There is no way that someone entered a fire station in broad daylight, shot two firefighters on duty, killed one of them, a year later has evaded capture from the largest police department in Alabama and has not bragged about that to someone,’’ Fitzgerald said.
“We live in a sick society today and we know people want attention for everything and even criminals want a pat on the back,’’ he said. “We know the individual or individuals responsible for this have talked about it.”
Fitzgerald said technology has played a strong part in the investigation.
“We don’t want to go into specifics,’’ he said. “What our detectives have recovered that day has led us in the right direction however there’s nothing more valuable than help from the public.”
“Our reason for not releasing identifying information in any criminal investigation is a detective has to ask the question, ‘Does the benefit of releasing identifying information on the suspect outweigh the risk of assisting suspect evade capture and/or conviction?’’' he said. “We feel if we release identifying information, it will hurt us more than it will help us.”
Woodfin spoke about Melton and the pain his death caused.
“I believe the most powerful characteristic of a firefighter has to be their bravery,’’ Woodfin said. “It takes bravery to commit your life to the mental and physical training need to bear the title of firefighter. It takes a brave person to literally run head-first into flames, putting your body and well-being at risk to rescue strangers.”
“It takes a very powerful and brave soul to leave your family every day knowing that you might not come home,’’ the mayor said. “Jordan Melton showed that bravery every single day.”
The mayor recalled learning about the shooting.
“If I’m honest, I was in a lot of shock and pain,’’ he said. “As mayor, when the city hurts, I and our team often take on what we call the collective grief of the community.”
“The truth is, one year later that pain is still here, that grief is even stronger for the family he left behind, he said.
“Our hearts our still heavy, because I know Jordan should be out here in the streets right now making us laugh, protecting us. But even in absence in his absence, through his mother and his family, he’s still showing us the meaning of his bravery,’’ he said. “That’s the legacy he leaves with us- the bravery of a son, the bravery of a friend and the bravery of a firefighter.”
Melton, affectionately known by many as Chato, has been remembered as an ambitious young man with an infectious smile and an unfailing love for those around him. He not only dreamed of being firefighter since he was a child, but one day hoped to be a fire chief.
“When Jordan loved you, you knew that he loved you,’’ said close friend Larry Williams . “There was no room he could be in and you not know he was there.”
Melton’s mother, Rochelle Gaston Malone , earlier this year launched a GoFundMe – Pursuit of Justice for Firefighter Jordan Melton – to raise money for a private investigation into Melton’s slaying, as well as other future unsolved cases.
“It’s frustrating not to know anything,’’ Malone said at that time. “We will not rest until this journey for justice is won.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
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