An early-morning domestic kidnapping Alabama left two women shot and the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Gardendale.
The ordeal began about 1:30 a.m. Friday when East Precinct officers were dispatched to the Kamtek facility, where a victim reportedly worked, on a report of a kidnapping.
The information was that an ex-boyfriend had kidnapped his ex-girlfriend and they were traveling in a vehicle.
Birmingham police immediately launched a search, as did a female family member of the victim, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald.
The family member was quickly able to locate the victim and the suspect in the 1800 block of Ninth Street N.W. in the Winewood neighborhood.
The family member confronted the suspect in an attempt to rescue the victim, Fitzgerald said.
A physical altercation ensued, and shots were exchanged between the suspect and the victim’s female family member.
Both the family member and the victim were wounded but were able to escape. They drove to Center Point Fire and Rescue Station #1 for help. They were transported by Center Point medics to UAB Hospital in Birmingham.
Their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
The suspect fled in a vehicle.
Just before 7 a.m., Gardendale police and medics responded to the 700 block of Country Club Trail on a report of a shooting.
Fitzgerald said evidence at the scene indicated there was a link to the kidnapping and shooting in Birmingham.
In Gardendale, first responders found a man unresponsive inside a vehicle from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Birmingham police went to the scene and confirmed it was the suspect from their case.
The suspect was pronounced dead on the scene.
This morning’s incident was the second time in two weeks in Birmingham where domestic violence led to gunfire and then suicide of the suspect.
On January 31, police say 34-year-old Andrew Haweis Goldsmith IV shot and killed Corieonna Hines and injured two young girls. Charged with capital murder and attempted murder,
Goldsmith took his own life three days ago when Birmingham officers closed in on him.
“If anyone is a victim of domestic violence or has a loved one suffering from domestic violence, we want people to know there are resources out there, including the One Place Metro Family Justice Center,’’ Fitzgerald said.
One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center Our coordinates services to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Fitzgerald said the victim in this morning’s incident did everything right.
While many domestic violence victims isolate themselves from family and friends, and hide what is happening to them, this victim had filed police reports and made sure her family knew what was going on and how to locate her if needed.
“This victim did everything she could, and because of that her loved one was able to rescue her,’’ Fitzgerald said.
“No questions asked, her loved one is the hero. She risked her own life to save her family member.”
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