32-year-old Quantez Banks killed in shooting inside Birmingham Mel’s Place

A dispute within a Birmingham lounge resulted in the death of one man, and another is now in police custody. The victim, identified as 32-year-old Quantez Banks from Center Point, lost his life.

Officers from the South Precinct responded to a person shot report at Mel’s Place, located at 3921 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, around 2:45 a.m. on Sunday.

Upon entering the lounge, police discovered Banks injured, and Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead at the scene, according to Officer Truman Fitzgerald.

Based on the initial investigation, it seems that the two men engaged in a verbal dispute preceding the gunfire.

According to Fitzgerald, the shooting occurred as the lounge was in the process of closing, although there were still individuals present at the time.

After the incident, the suspect fled on foot, but prompt action by responding patrol officers led to his swift apprehension.

The 19-year-old suspect is currently in custody at the Birmingham City Jail, subject to a 48-hour hold while the investigation unfolds.

Upon its conclusion, detectives will present the case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for potential criminal charges.

The tragic death of Quantez Banks marks Birmingham’s 126th homicide of 2023. Within this figure, one case involved an officer-involved shooting by an external law enforcement agency, and eight others have been deemed justified.

Across all of Jefferson County, a total of 175 homicides have been recorded, inclusive of the 126 that occurred in Birmingham.