Authorities in Birmingham, Alabama, have charged a man with a series of violent crimes that span multiple years and include 18 alleged murders.
The scope of the case has raised questions about both the nature of the violence and the limited national coverage it has received.
The suspect, identified as Damien McDaniel, faces charges tied to several high-profile killings in Birmingham.
The media yawn when both perps and victims are black.
Damien McDaniel, a black man CURRENTLY on trial, is accused of murdering 18 people—ALMOST ALL BLACK—in Birmingham, Alabama over two years. He is the deadliest accused killer in Alabama history.
Heard of him? I rest my case. pic.twitter.com/Sj8DjhDrGP
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) August 16, 2025
Among them is the murder-for-hire of firefighter Jordan Melton in 2023.
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McDaniel is also accused of carrying out two separate quadruple homicides in 2024.
One occurred at a Birmingham venue known as Trendsetter’s in July, and the other at the Hush Lounge in Five Points South just months later.
The latter incident drew national headlines at the time for the scale of the violence.
Prosecutors allege that McDaniel was connected to each case, with investigators building a timeline of activity linking him to a broader pattern of killings in the city.
Local officials have described the case as one of the most serious in Birmingham’s history.
In July, McDaniel posted a statement on Facebook in which he denied being the “monster” he has been portrayed as, while expressing condolences to victims’ families.
“I want to send my condolences to all those who have been affected by these accusations…. I’m not speaking clarity and I’m definitely not asking for pity, this is for me because I see how the world is trying to portray me to be and no I’m not mad but I will not allow you all to defame my character,” he wrote.
McDaniel went on to allege that his family had been targeted following his arrest, citing shootings at his uncle’s location and at his mother’s home.
The Birmingham cases involving McDaniel underscore a rise in violent incidents that local police have faced in recent years.
The nat’l media is also SILENT about Damien McDaniel, a Birmingham, Ala. black man who over 2 yrs killed 18 people, almost all black. He’s on trial NOW. If convicted, he’s the deadliest serial killer in Ala. history. CRICKETS! Perp, victims=wrong race. https://t.co/VYeWrRvPbM https://t.co/PgMIid2qCz
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) September 7, 2025
The 2024 killings at both Trendsetter’s and the Hush Lounge placed renewed attention on nightlife venues in the city and prompted community leaders to call for stronger security measures.
The killing of firefighter Jordan Melton in 2023 also shook the community.
Melton, who had just completed his training and joined the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, was fatally shot at a fire station.
The case drew widespread condolences from public officials across Alabama and highlighted the risks faced by public safety personnel.
Despite the scale of the charges against McDaniel, the case has received limited attention outside Alabama.
Local outlets, including AL.com and regional television stations, have covered court developments, but the national press has largely focused on other crime-related stories.
The case comes as crime remains a focal issue in major cities across the country.
Birmingham has struggled with violent crime for years, and federal and state law enforcement agencies have coordinated with local police in efforts to address repeat offenders and organized criminal networks.
McDaniel remains in custody as the legal proceedings continue.
Prosecutors are expected to pursue multiple murder charges tied to each of the incidents, with additional federal charges possible given the scope of the alleged crimes.
Court hearings are scheduled in the months ahead, where further evidence will be presented.
The Birmingham Police Department has emphasized that it is continuing to investigate the broader circumstances of the killings, with the potential for more charges if additional connections are uncovered.
The case against McDaniel, spanning nearly two years and involving 18 alleged victims, has become one of the most significant crime investigations in Alabama in recent memory.