Arson Suspect Arrested
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 FMarch 2, 2026 March 2, 2026 at 1:18 PM 02/28/26 Disorderly Conduct Arrest - Officers responded to a disorderly subject in the 2900 block of 16th Place S. The subject was yelling and cursing in the street and was arrested for Disorderly Conduct.
Shooting Investigation at Brookwood Hospital FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2026 On March 1st, 2026, at approximately 9:25 PM, Homewood Police responded to Brookwood Hospital, located at 2010 Medical Center Drive, on a possible shots fired call. Officers arrived on scene and found a female subject and a male subject, both deceased from gunshot wounds. Preliminary investigation by Homewood Police detectives shows that the incident is an apparent murder-suicide. The area is still active as detectives and crime scene investigators continue to process the scene.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 26, 2026 In the last month, the Homewood Police Department has taken multiple reports involving stolen utility trailers from the West Homewood area, specifically on Distribution Drive and West Oxmoor Road. After a comprehensive investigation, Homewood Police detectives were able to identify the suspect as David Gregory Lewis, age 39, of Birmingham. Detectives obtained felony Theft of Property warrants on Lewis for four separate utility trailer thefts in Homewood. Lewis was located by officers and arrested on February 19th. Lewis was transferred to Jefferson County Jail with the following charges and bonds. Theft of Property – 1st Degree, three counts ($90,000 total bond) Theft of Property – 2nd Degree, one count ($15,000 bond)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2026 The Shamrock 5k Run will be this Saturday (February 28th) in the Edgewood/Broadway neighborhood area. The event will be from 10:30 AM until about 12:30 PM. A map of the run route is below. Expect road closures and traffic delays on and around the route during this time.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2026 Homewood and Mountain Brook Fire Departments will be conducting training at the old Brookwood Mall property this week through Friday, to include simulated vehicle and structure fires.
Crime Report for the Week of February 23, 2026 02/16/26 Trailer Theft - A utility trailer was stolen from the 100 block of West Oxmoor Road. 02/16/26 Trailer Theft - A utility trailer was stolen from the 200 block of Distribution Drive. 02/18/26 Narcotics Arrest - A suspicious person was investigated in the 1900 block of 29th Ave South. The subject was in possession of methamphetamine and was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.
