Councilor LaTonya Tate ‘Heartbroken’ Over 7 Killed, 10 Wounded in Birmingham in 24 Hours

Times staff report Calling it an “appallingly violent” 24 hours in the City of Birmingham, Councilor LaTonya Tate said she was “heartbroken” by two separate shootings on Saturday that left seven people dead, and 10 others wounded. Tate, chair of the City Council’s public safety committee, said in a statement on Sunday, “to all of those impacted by the violence that erupted in the last 24 hours, we mourn with you. We also stand with you in the belief that Birmingham deserves more, and we will continue to fight for that vision for our future.” AL.com reported that the first shooting happened shortly before 5:30 p.m. Saturday near the entrance to Echo Highlands Park, on the city’s east side. Killed were Arkia “Kia” Berry, 28, her 5-year-old son, Landyn Brooks, and her boyfriend, 28-year-old Eric Ashley Jr. The second deadly shooting, a drive-by, happened just after 11 p.m. at a private party at a north Birmingham social club. A shooter or shooters unleashed a flurry of bullets that killed two men and two women and injured 10 others. Those killed in that incident were Angela Weatherspoon, 56, of Center Point, Markeisha Gettings, 42, of Birmingham, Stevie McGhee, 39, of Birmingham,...