A Tearful Mayor Woodfin Speaks in Public for First Time Since His Cousin, 5 Others Killed in Birmingham

By Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson | The Birmingham Times An emotional Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on Tuesday recounted shootings of the past week that left six people dead, including one of his own cousins, and separately a city employee. Speaking during his report at the weekly City Council meeting, the mayor said it was “the first time” he’d cried regarding his family’s loss because he’d been “focused on other families” who were grieving. “For four days I haven’t shed a tear,” said Woodfin. “I’ve been worried about everybody else. For four days I haven’t had the best sleep, and when I have, I’ve had a few nightmares, because I don’t think women and unborn children should be killed. I don’t think people who just get off work and just want to hang with their family should be killed, that people who want to go get their car washed should be killed. I know you don’t believe that either.” The mayor paused and fought back tears as he read the names of those killed. Among the slain were Terrell Edwards, a city employee in Parks and Recreation, and his relative, Kevin McGhee, who picked up Edwards from work. Both Edwards, 38, and McGhee,...