By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE As the world anxiously awaits a new year, we are looking back on top stories from 2020. Here is a look at the good, the bad and the ugly of a historic year.
Coronavirus pandemic impacts lives, changes way of living for many
ATLANTA The coronavirus pandemic was responsible for nearly 80 million reported illnesses worldwide in December 2020. But, the illness, named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO), actually began in 2019. Health experts first identified the virus in Wuhan, China.
Although many people reported little to no symptoms, some have reported severe illness. Around 1.72 deaths have been attributed to coronavirus. A person can remain infectious for up to two weeks after catching COVID-19.
From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM The Birmingham Police Department reports an arrest has been made in the homicide of 20-year-old Destiny Washington.
Washington was shot at the Hill University Center located on the campus of UAB, according to police. Washington was then driven to Children’s Hospital of Alabama by way of private vehicle where she was later pronounced deceased.
The suspect has been identified as 22-year-old Carlos Londarrius Stephens, of Alabaster, Alabama.
Stephens was taken into custody after turning himself in on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, police said.
Detectives presented the case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and obtained a capital murder warrant for the death of Washington.
From the Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM Police in Birmingham are investigating after a person was shot an killed outside of the Hill Student Center at UAB on Thursday night.
Friday morning, Jefferson County Deputy Chief Coroner Bill Yates identified the victim as Destiny Danielle Washington, 20, of Trussville. Washington was a 2018 graduate of Clay-Chalkville High School. She was completing classes at Lawson State through UAB’s Joint Admission Program with dreams of becoming a nurse to help others.
At approximately 9:40 p.m., South Precinct officers were dispatched to Children’s Hospital at 1601 5th Avenue South on report of an adult gunshot victim who arrived by way of private vehicle. Children’s Hospital staff pronounced the victim deceased, according to Officer Truman Fitzgerald.
UAB releases new info after 20-year-old student fatally shot in car
Nursing student shot, killed outside UAB Student Center By WBRC Staff | December 18, 2020 at 5:57 AM CST - Updated December 18 at 5:13 PM
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Police in Birmingham are investigating a homicide after a woman from Trussville arrived at Children’s Hospital with gunshot wounds.
Police say the victim arrived at approximately 9:40 p.m. Thursday. Staff pronounced the victim deceased at 10:10 p.m.
The victim has been identified as 20-year-old Destiny Danielle Washington.
The preliminary investigation suggests the victim was shot inside a vehicle while in the parking lot of Hill University Center in the 1400 block of University Blvd.