$10,000 Reward Offered After Birmingham Shooting Kills Bernard Watts and Diandra Johnson

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Thirty shell casings and rows of evidence markers covered Holley Avenue after bullets ripped through a gathering in west Birmingham, leaving Bernard Duane Montez Watts and Diandra Young Johnson dead and five others wounded. A $10,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to arrests.

Watts, 50, and Johnson, 33, were identified by the Jefferson County Coroner. Five additional victims were treated for gunshot wounds after the attack.

Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama increased the reward amount in hopes of generating new leads. As reported by 1819 News, the money will be available for information leading to arrests connected to the Holley Avenue shooting.

Police responded to the 100 block of Holley Avenue Thursday night after emergency calls reported multiple people had been struck by bullets. Victims were found across the scene while rescue crews rushed the wounded to UAB Hospital.

Dozens of shell casings remained scattered across the pavement while officers reviewed witness accounts and physical evidence collected from the block. Arrests had not been announced at the time of publication.

Holley Avenue became the focus of an intensive evidence review as detectives mapped the scene and worked to determine who opened fire. Markers stretched across sections of pavement while officers documented locations tied to the attack.

Fatal shootings unfolded elsewhere in Birmingham during the same weekend stretch. Those killings placed additional attention on a violent forty eight hour span that claimed multiple lives across different neighborhoods.

Deputy Chief of Public Safety Carlton Peeples called the bloodshed unacceptable and urged anyone with information to come forward. Crime Stoppers and Birmingham Police are requesting tips that could help identify the shooters.

Reward notices now stand alongside the effort to secure arrests. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously and may qualify for the $10,000 reward if the information leads to suspects being taken into custody.