Hoover, Alabama – The Hoover Police Department has announced the arrest of a suspect following a Christmas Eve fatal shooting. According to an HPD statement, officers responded to an apartment in the 2200 block of Rime Village Drive around 11 p.m. on December 24, 2024.

Police say responding officers found a 35-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at UAB Hospital.

The Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim as Brandon Montez McIlwain of Birmingham.

HPD says a 29-year-old male suspect was detained at the scene and he is a known acquaintance of the victim.

According to HPD, the victim and suspect were visiting the homeowner at the apartment where the shooting occurred. At some point in the evening, the victim and suspect allegedly began fighting over a handgun with the suspect gaining possession of the weapon.

HPD says the weapon discharged several times with at least two rounds hitting the victim.

29-year-old Anthony Keith Russell was booked into the Hoover City Jail on a charge of Murder. He will be transferred to the Jefferson County Jail later today. HPD says this is the first non-traffic homicide in the city since October 1, 2022.