Arson Suspect Arrested
September 2, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2025
Homewood Police Department News Release
Arson Suspect Arrested
On August 22nd, 2025, at approximately 2:30 PM, Homewood Police and Fire Departments responded to Walmart, located at 209 Lakeshore Parkway in Homewood, on a fire call. It was determined that a shopping cart full of items was deliberately set on fire inside the store, forcing the store to evacuate. The store was closed for the remainder of the day, and Walmart reported over $130,000 in damage due to the fire. Homewood Police Department detectives began an arson investigation.
During the investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Mercutio Terrell Southall, age 40, of Birmingham. Southall is a known Black Lives Matter activist who was previously arrested and plead guilty to disorderly conduct and resisting arrest during a demonstration in downtown Homewood in 2015. He was also arrested and convicted of possessing a firearm at a demonstration in Montgomery County in 2016.
Verified evidence shows Southall attending the Black Lives Matter mass protest at the Homewood Soccer Park at approximately 11:35 AM on August 22nd. Southall is seen actively engaging and conversing with protesters at the Soccer Park. Southall then leaves the Soccer Park and travels to Walmart on Lakeshore Parkway, where he fills up a shopping cart full of rags, blankets, charcoal bags, small engine fuel, and paint thinner. Southall then pre-positions the shopping cart in a clothing aisle and returns to the mass protest at the Homewood Soccer Park. When the large group leaves the Soccer Park to go to downtown Homewood, Southall is seen driving back to Walmart on Lakeshore Parkway, where he facilitates the ignition of the fire inside the store, causing a mass evacuation.
After Southall was identified by Homewood Police detectives, he was arrested and charged with Arson – 1st Degree and Criminal Mischief – 1st Degree. Southall was transferred to the Jefferson County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond for the Arson – 1st Degree charge due to Aniah’s Law. The Homewood Police Department is working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms on pursuing federal arson charges. The investigation is still ongoing, with detectives considering pursuing charges on additional participants in the future.
Crime Report for the Week of Oct. 12, 2026 10/06/26 UBEV - An unlocked vehicle was entered in the 600 block of Oakmoor Drive and a wallet was stolen.
Crime Report for the Week of Oct. 5, 2026 09/30/26 Drug Paraphernalia Arrest - Officers investigated a suspicious person in the 10 block of Aspen Cove and arrested the subject of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 10/02/26 DUI Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the 200 block of Oxmoor Road and the driver was arrested for DUI. 10/03/26 DUI Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the 1600 block of Oxmoor Road and the driver was arrested for DUI. 10/04/26 Burglary Arrest - Officers responded to a burglary in progress call in the 10 block of Aspen Cove and arrested five suspects for Burglary (3rd Degree) and Possession of Burglary Tools.
The City of Homewood, The Police Department, and Homewood Animal Control are excited to announce a new partnership with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. The city contract for strays will be handled by GBHS at 6227 5th Ave N, beginning Monday (October 5th) until the new building opens on Sydney Dr. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM; and closed on Sunday. The phone number is ( 205) 591-6522 , if you are looking for your animal. You will be able to pick up at 6227 5th Ave. N in Birmingham. The fee schedule is as follows: If your animal is unaltered, there is a $50.00 fee; $30.00 impound fee; $20.00 rabies fee (if you do not have proof of rabies vaccine); and a $50.00 City fee. There are also some new procedures associated with this change: Homewood will no longer respond to wildlife calls (i.e. raccoons, possums, snakes, coyotes, foxes, etc.). Citizens can call Complete Animal Removal, and they will take care of the wildlife issue. Call: (256) 455-0000 Homewood will not pick up strays after hours; this will be handled by Animal Control on the next business day. Any after-hours calls will be for extreme emergencies only. All correspondence must go through our dispatch non-emergency number for strays. (205) 332-6200 option, #2.
The Homewood Police Department is taking applications for the position of Police Officer. APPLY HERE today to join our team!
Crime Report for the Week of Sept. 28, 2026 09/08/26 DUI Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the 200 block of Lakeshore Pkwy and the driver was arrested for DUI. 09/09/26 Public Intox Arrest - Officers responded to a trespassing call in the 100 block of Vulcan Road. The subject was located and arrested for Public Intoxication.
Crime Report for the Week of Sept. 21, 2026 09/15/26 UBEV - An unlocked vehicle was entered in the 100 block of Greensprings Hwy and a cell phone was taken. 09/18/26 DUI Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the 200 block of Greensprings Hwy and the driver was arrested for DUI.
