Birmingham Police Investigate Viral Video of Officer Pointing Gun at Woman

Incident occurred during search for armed robbery suspect, department reviewing event for training opportunities

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett addressed a viral social media video showing an officer with gun drawn approach a woman inside a convenience store during the search for an armed robbery suspect. The department is reviewing the incident to identify any potential training opportunities to improve community relations.

Why it matters

The video has sparked outrage on social media, with over 1 million views and thousands of shares, highlighting concerns about racial profiling and use of force by police. The department's response aims to address community trust and transparency around high-risk encounters.

The details

The store surveillance video showed the officer draw his weapon as he entered the store and approach the woman, who appeared to be waiting in line. The officer had the gun pointed at the woman, and she put her hands up. They talked for several minutes, and at one point the officer held her wrist. Police said the woman closely matched the description of the armed robbery suspect, which heightened the perceived threat, but after further evaluation, it was determined she was not the suspect. The actual suspect, 21-year-old Akasha Moore, was later arrested and charged with first-degree robbery.

  • The incident occurred on Tuesday.
  • The actual armed robbery suspect, Akasha Moore, was arrested and charged on January 17.

The players

Michael Pickett

Birmingham Police Chief, addressing the incident and the department's review.

Akasha Moore

21-year-old woman charged with first-degree robbery in connection with a January 17 incident, who was not the individual encountered in the convenience store.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The individual encountered inside the store closely matched the description of the suspect and was also armed, which heightened the perceived threat in that moment.”

— Michael Pickett, Birmingham Police Chief (al.com)

“Importantly, the officer did not discharge his weapon, no excessive force was used and no one was injured during the encounter.”

— Michael Pickett, Birmingham Police Chief (al.com)

“Situations like highlight the extremely dangerous and rapidly evolving circumstances hat law enforcement officers willingly enter every day in an effort to protect our community. These moments often unfold in seconds, and decisions must be made quickly with the safety of the public and our officers as the top priority.”

— Michael Pickett, Birmingham Police Chief (al.com)

What’s next

The department is currently reviewing the incident to identify any potential training opportunities that may help improve how they serve the community.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in building trust between police and the communities they serve, particularly around issues of racial profiling and use of force. The department's commitment to review the encounter and identify training opportunities signals a willingness to address community concerns and improve policing practices.