Tyler Artez Lee

Tyler Artez Lee, an 18-year-old Black man from Birmingham, Alabama, was in the summer of his life when he was killed in a burst of gunfire on a Saturday afternoon. His death on July 25, 2020, left a void in his family and community, and his case remains an unsolved homicide, one of many that year in a city grappling with violence.

The fatal encounter took place in Birmingham's Smithfield community, a historic neighborhood just northwest of the downtown area. At approximately 2:54 p.m., the Birmingham Police Department received a 911 call reporting a double shooting in the 200 block of 9th Avenue North. When North Precinct officers arrived at the residential block, they found a grim scene. Tyler was discovered lying on the front porch of a home, suffering from a serious gunshot wound. A short distance away, another man was found with multiple gunshot wounds.

Emergency services responded quickly. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel treated both victims at the scene before rushing them to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital. Both men were admitted with injuries described as life-threatening. For Tyler, the fight for his life was tragically short. Detectives were notified later that day that he had succumbed to his injuries. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office officially confirmed his death, stating he was pronounced dead at 5:55 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2020. The condition and identity of the second victim were not publicly released by authorities in the days that followed.

The Birmingham Police Department's Homicide Unit immediately began piecing together what had happened. According to department spokesperson Sgt. Rodarius Mauldin, the preliminary investigation suggested the shooting was not a random act. Detectives believed the violence was the culmination of an ongoing dispute. Their findings indicated that just before the shooting, a verbal altercation had occurred between Tyler and at least one suspect. That argument escalated with shocking speed, ending with gunfire that tore through the afternoon quiet.

In the crucial hours and days after the shooting, investigators worked the scene, gathering evidence and canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses who might have seen or heard something that could lead to an arrest. However, no suspects were immediately taken into custody. The police did not release any descriptions of a potential shooter or any vehicles that may have been involved, indicating a need for more information from the public.

The department issued a public appeal for assistance, a common step when leads are scarce. They urged anyone with knowledge of the crime, the preceding argument, or the individuals involved to come forward and share what they knew. The lack of an immediate arrest suggested that the case would depend heavily on community cooperation and the willingness of witnesses to speak with law enforcement.

As of the latest available reports from July 2020, the investigation into Tyler Artez Lee's murder is ongoing, and no arrests have been announced. The case remains open, waiting for the tip or piece of evidence that could provide answers for his family and bring his killer to justice.

Authorities continue to ask for the public's help. Anyone with information pertaining to the case is urged to contact the Birmingham Police Department Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous, and a tip that leads to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.