FAIRFIELD, AL – An innocent bystander was fatally shot after being caught in the crossfire of a shooting inside the food court at Western Hills Mall in Jefferson County.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Darin Marquese Hall, 32, of Birmingham.
The deadly gunfire erupted around 5 p.m. Sunday at the Fairfield shopping center, located on Aaron Aronov Drive.
This marks the third fatal shooting at Western Hills Mall since 2018.
Surveillance footage and witness accounts indicate that the altercation began between three individuals inside the food court, where approximately a dozen people were either seated at tables or in line ordering food.
According to the video, one man, with his hand tucked under his shirt, stood on one side of the food court, while the other two men were positioned on the opposite side. As one of the two men moved closer, the first pulled a firearm and opened fire.
The advancing man collapsed to the ground but managed to get back up and stumbled away, appearing to be injured. The third individual then returned fire before fleeing the scene.
As shots rang out, mall patrons scrambled for cover—customers at nearby tables ducked while some ran for safety, and a woman dropped to the floor.
Hall, who had been standing in line, was among those who tried to flee but was struck by gunfire.
A Fairfield firefighter, who happened to be at the food court, rushed to Hall’s aid, using a towel to apply pressure to his wound, as seen in a video that was later removed from social media.
Hall was transported to Princeton Baptist Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:33 p.m., according to Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates.
A 21-year-old man, believed to be one of the individuals involved in the altercation, was also wounded and taken to UAB Hospital. His condition has not been released.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, and as of Monday, no arrests have been announced.
Sheriff Mark Pettway vowed to use all available resources to hold those responsible accountable.
“My main concern is keeping the citizens of Jefferson County safe,” Pettway stated. “As a result of this brazen act of violence, an innocent person has died.”
Fairfield Mayor Eddie Penny expressed his condolences to Hall’s family and urged the community to end the cycle of violence.
“We offer our prayers and condolences to the family of Mr. Hall and are praying for the injured person,” Penny said. “We encourage all to put the guns down and stop the killing in our neighborhoods.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers.