Birmingham Piggly Wiggly employee shot to death inside store
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — December 26 2018
A shooting at the Piggly Wiggly on 29th Avenue North left a female employee dead Monday, and put the number of homicides in Birmingham for 2018 close to triple digits for another year.
Birmingham Police say a suspect entered the store just before noon and began an altercation with the employee, identified as Jerika Manuel, 28, of Birmingham. Police believe the suspect and Manuel had on ongoing feud of some kind.
Investigators told ABC 33/40 Manuel was at the cash register when she was confronted by the suspect. The altercation became physical right before the suspect shot and killed Manuel.
Witnesses told ABC 33/40 they heard the shooting while they shopped for groceries.
“In my mind it doesn’t matter the time of year. A life is a life. It is important to that person and that family. It is unfortunate that it happens at any point. I don’t think anyone wants this to happen at any point in the year,” says Sgt. Johnny Williams.
ABC 33/40 has confirmed investigators will be looking at newly installed video cameras to learn more about the shooting.
“There were only those two persons involved in the altercation. Right now we do have some good witnesses we do believe in the case. We are trying to develop some information from them. It’s hard on the family. Regardless if it’s a holiday or any other time of the year,” says the sergeant.
Authorities are searching for the suspect at this time. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the BPD Homicide Unit at (205) 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777.
AL.com
