A heated dispute between a customer and a worker at the Pita Stop on Birmingham's Southside turned violent on Saturday, resulting in a deadly shooting. The incident occurred shortly after 12 p.m. at the restaurant situated in the 1100 block of 12th Street South.

According to preliminary investigations, the altercation began when a dissatisfied customer expressed their dissatisfaction with the food and engaged in a physical altercation with the restaurant owner. The situation quickly escalated, leading the owner to open fire, fatally injuring the customer.

Sgt. LaQuitta Wade confirmed that the critically injured customer was rushed to UAB Hospital, where they were tragically pronounced dead. The identity of the victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Law enforcement swiftly detained the owner following the shooting. Birmingham Police Department is actively conducting a thorough investigation to gather further details and determine the events that transpired prior to the deadly incident.

This incident marks the second deadly shooting within a span of less than 12 hours in Birmingham. Just before 3 a.m. on Saturday, gunfire erupted in the popular Lakeview District, claiming one life and injuring another individual.

Today's tragic shooting brings Birmingham's homicide count to a staggering 130 for the year. It is important to note that among these cases, one was an officer-involved shooting by an outside law enforcement agency, and nine have been deemed justified by authorities.

The alarming rate of violence is not exclusive to Birmingham alone, as Jefferson County has witnessed a total of 181 homicides thus far, including the 130 within Birmingham's city limits. Authorities are working tirelessly to address the situation and take necessary measures to ensure public safety.

As the investigation into these unfortunate incidents unfolds, community members and stakeholders remain committed to fostering a safer environment and seeking lasting solutions to reduce crime within the city and surrounding areas.

Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding these incidents to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigations, as cooperation from the public plays a vital role in achieving justice for the victims and ensuring the safety of the community.