Three Birmingham police officers were shot and killed near 18th Street and Avenue P in Ensley about 1:30 p.m. Thursday. The officers have been identified as Carlos Owens, Harley Chisholm and Charles Robert Bennett. A fourth officer, Michael Collins, was also attacked, but he was not injured.Though details are still sketchy, police officials at the scene have told NBC13 they believe that the officers were shot by SKS automatic rifles as they approached a house to serve a warrant to Nathaniel L. Woods, a resident of Fairfield.According to officials, an SKS rifle would be powerful enough to penetrate the bulletproof vests that are a standard item issued to each Birmingham officer. A manhunt immediately ensued, involving Birmingham police, Jefferson County police, Fairfield police, Bessemer state police, as well as officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
"I guess they were just flying. I guess they weren't really worrying about us at the moment," said Jalisa Davis, an eyewitness at the crime scene as police arrived. At about 3 p.m., a Birmingham tactical police squad stormed a house near 18th Street as part of the investigation. At approximately 3:35 p.m., three men were taken in handcuffs from the house. Birmingham police also reported that Woods, a primary suspect in relation to the shooting, was one of the men in custody. Birmingham police also took a woman into custody in the north Birmingham neighborhood of Collegeville. The woman was taken from the 29th Court Apartments at approximately 3:45 p.m. She is believed to be the sister of one of the suspects currently in custody. "We don't really have anything new to add," said Birmingham Police Chief Annetta Nunn in a press conference at approximately 5 p.m. Thursday. "It's a tragedy in Birmingham. The investigation is ongoing. We do have some suspects in custody. "We just ask the public to pray for the officers, their families and the officers that are still on duty. They are in some trying times right now," Nunn said. The police cannot verify the names of the suspects for whom they're looking because they have not debriefed the suspects they currently have in custody, said Nunn.
Owens was described as easy to get along with, well known in town and a leader of the west precinct's patrol division. He joined the Birmingham Police Department in 1977 and was affectionately known as "Curly." He was also a training officer.
Chisholm, 35, was a hardworking patrol officer also well known in his west district, officers said. Nicknamed "Robocop," he joined the force in 1998.
Bennett, 31, joined the department in 2001. His peers, who called him "Roger," said he was a straightforward, no-nonsense cop who loved his job.
Thursday night, many people gathered to pray for the fallen officers and the community. A prayer vigil was held at More Than Conqueres Faith Church from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There were tears, congregants on their knees in prayer and a pastor rising to a community in time of need.
"Just to hear something like this has happened, it's devastating," said the Rev. Don Thompson, the assistant pastor. "The first response of the church in crises, let's pray."
Thompson grew up in Birmingham, attended high school with Nunn and has a close working relationship with the department.
"Let (Nunn) know we are standing with her in prayer," Thompson said.
The Red Cross is stationed outside of the Ensley crime scene to assist those who cannot get back into their homes.