BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- A local business in downtown Birmingham has released a statement regarding a nearby shooting that took place in the 2300 block of 1st Ave. N on Thursday night.
The bar, PRVLGE, has yet to open for business. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin made a statement on X stating that the bar should not open, calling into question the impact it could have on the safety of their future patrons, the already-existing businesses in the area and the residents in the area.
Management at PRVLGE made this statement regarding the situation:
We at PRVLGE, Inc. are deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred on Thursday evening and extend our heartfelt wishes for the victim’s full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones during this difficult time.
To clarify, PRVLGE has not yet opened for business. On the night of the incident, our only involvement was offering assistance to a gunshot victim who was brought into our space for aid. We firmly believe that helping someone in need is a fundamental responsibility, and we stand by our decision to do the right thing in that moment.
We recognize and respect Mayor Randall Woodfin’s commitment to addressing gun violence in Birmingham. However, holding a closed business accountable for an incident that occurred a block away on a public street—over which we had no control—is both unfair and unwarranted. The unfortunate incident had no connection to PRVLGE, and our actions that evening were solely motivated by compassion and a sense of duty to assist someone in distress.
It is imperative that we focus on real solutions to Birmingham’s ongoing crime challenges rather than placing blame on a business that simply rendered aid. As a community, we must come together to address the root causes of violence and work toward meaningful change to ensure a safer city
for all.The recent shooting in Birmingham underscores a pressing issue: the Birmingham Police Department is understaffed, leaving the community vulnerable to brazen criminal acts. The fact that a shooting occurred during a busy time of day is alarming and highlights both the lack of concern from those committing these violent acts and the City of Birmingham’s failure to maintain a sufficient number of sworn police officers to protect its citizens. This is not a problem of location—it is a city-wide issue. The fear of violence extends beyond downtown, affecting neighborhoods throughout Birmingham. Criminals are emboldened because they do not fear
law enforcement, and it is critical that the city prioritizes increasing the number of sworn officers and rebuilding public trust.Additionally, we are disheartened by the false narratives that have been circulated regarding our business. We will not allow misleading information to tarnish the reputation of PRVLGE or the integrity of our team. The facts remain clear—PRVLGE was not involved in the incident, and our only action was assisting an individual in need. We urge city officials, the media, and the public to ensure that accountability is placed where it rightfully belongs and that businesses like ours, which seek to bring positive contributions to the community, are not unfairly targeted.
As a future member of Birmingham’s vibrant business community, PRVLGE is committed to fostering a safe and positive environment. We are dedicated to working collaboratively with city officials, law enforcement, and community leaders to ensure responsible operations and contribute to the growth and safety of downtown Birmingham. Our mission is to create a welcoming space that brings people together while being part of the broader effort to make our city stronger and safer.
PRVLGE Management
The shooting happened in Birmingham City Council President Darrell O'Quinn's district. He released the following statement:
"We’re still awaiting full details of what occurred last night, it’s an ongoing investigation and I will not be commenting on that. However, I will say that my vote of no confidence to grant a liquor license to the establishment in question was in line with my constituents who live in the area. Leading up to that vote on December 10, I had many conversations about this particular establishment with residents, all of whom voiced concerns to me. We are all deeply alarmed and saddened by this reckless act, and we are going to continue exploring all available options to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors moving forward."
In response to part of PRVLGE's statement, Birmingham City Councilor Hunter Williams said, "There is an issue where there is a criminal element that used to try and avoid law enforcement, that used to try and do whatever they could not to have contact with law enforcement and now that criminal element seems to be so brazen that they don't care if they go to jail, they don't care if they get arrested and they don't even care if they get shot and killed so they don't care if they have an encounter with law enforcement."
Tim Holt has a place in Birmingham. He says that, when visiting, he's never worried about his safety while walking downtown or enjoying restaurants.
"Birmingham, compared to Montgomery, Alabama, Birmingham is so much safer and so much more conducive to a nice urban life," Holt said.
We have reached out to Birmingham Police and Mayor Woodfin's office for comment on the statement from PRVLGE but have yet to hear back.