A weekend shooting at Monarch Ridge Apartments, initially investigated as a homicide, has been ruled accidental by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. Despite the ruling, the incident has reignited concerns about safety at the complex, which has a history of violence.
Residents report that court-ordered safety measures, including surveillance cameras, license plate readers, security patrols, and a gated entrance with a guard, are now in place. However, some residents, like Dominic Lewis, believe the violence stems from outsiders. “The chaos it comes from outsiders that come up here. It’s not really the residents,” Lewis said.
The shooting involved an uncle and his nephew during a party inside an apartment. Although the incident was deemed accidental, it has drawn attention back to the complex’s safety record. Last year, the city of Birmingham filed a public nuisance lawsuit against Monarch Ridge after the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Asia Poole. The case settled in January, mandating the implementation of security measures…