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 December 1, 2025 December 7, 2025 at 1:33 PM 12/02/25 UBEV - An unlocked vehicle was broken into in the 1500 block of Wellington Road and a wallet was stolen. 12/06/25 Narcotics Arrest - Officers investigated a suspicious person in the 200 block of Summit Pkwy. The subject was in possession of methamphetamine and was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Crime Report for the Week of November 24, 2025 December 7, 2025 at 1:27 PM 11/28/25 Vehicle Theft - A vehicle was stolen from the 200 block of Oxmoor Circle. 11/29/25 Burglary - A business was broken into by force in the 1900 block of 29th Ave. Nothing was taken as the suspects fled when the alarm went off. 11/30/25 DUI Arrest - A vehicle was stopped for a witnessed violation in the 100 block of Greensprings Hwy. The driver was arrested for DUI.
Crime Report for the Week of November 17, 2025 November 18, 2025 at 8:55 AM 11/12/25 DUI Arrest - Officers responded to a traffic accident on I-65 near Oxmoor Road. One of the drivers was intoxicated and was arrested for DUI. 11/14/25 UBEV - An unlocked vehicle vehicle was entered in the 1600 block of Ashwood Lane and a laptop was stolen. 11/16/25 UBEV - An unlocked vehicle was entered in the 500 block of Brookwood Village and a purse was stolen.
Crime Report for the Week of November 3, 2025 10/27/25 UBEV - An unlocked vehicle was entered in the 400 block of Berry Ave and a purse was stolen. 10/29/25 Vehicle Theft - A motorcycle was stolen from the 900 block of Mansard Drive. 10/30/25 Narcotics Arrest - Officers investigated a suspicious person in 200 block of Greensprings Hwy. The subject was in possession of methamphetamine and was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance. 10/31/25 Vehicle Theft - A motorcycle was stolen from the 10 block of Aspen Court.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 4, 2025 Shooting Suspect Arrested Shooting Suspect Arrested On November 1st, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM, Homewood Police Department responded to a call of multiple shots fired in the 100 block of Vulcan Road. Officers quickly arrived and detained several subjects. Officers verified that there were no injuries to any of the subjects on scene. After the investigation, Emmanuel Dewayne Furlow, age 23 of Ensley, was arrested and charged with four counts of Attempted Murder ($60,000 bond per count) and two counts of Shooting into an Occupied Building ($30,000 bond per count). Furlow has been transferred to the Jefferson County Jail. The investigation is still ongoing, and additional charges could be forthcoming.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2025 Shooting Investigation Homewood police responded to a shots fired call in the 100 block of Vulcan Road. Star 1 also responded to assist officers search for suspects and ensure the incident didn’t pose a further risk to the public. Homewood PD officers detained multiple suspects and there is no current threat to the public. The scene is still active while investigators process for evidence.
