BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --

The mayor's security detail, with Mayor William Bell in the vehicle, was involved in an I-20/59 shooting tonight, multiple sources have informed al.com/The Birmingham News.



Birmingham Police Capt. Henry Irby would not confirm the mayor's involvement but said the ordeal began at 7:47 p.m. with a report of shots fired in the 300 block of 8th Avenue North.



The report, he said, said two Birmingham police officers were involved.



Sources say the incident started when Bell's security detail was taking the mayor home.

This is how sources say the incident unfolded:

The vehicle carrying the mayor was stopped at a traffic light. A Lincoln Towncar stopped next to their vehicle, rolled down a window and opened fire on a nearby SUV.

The mayor's security, who are sworn Birmingham police officers, told the mayor to duck, and gave chase and returned fire. Then the chase ended up on the interstate.

North Precinct officers responded to the interstate where they found a male and female suspect wounded by the gunfire. Both were taken to UAB. A third male, also a suspect, is being questioned.

The interstate was shut down at the 17th Street North exit and reopened around 11 p.m.

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation will be handling the probe.

News staff writers Jeremy Gray and Joseph D. Bryant contributed to this report.

