United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross | U.S. Department of Justice
On January 7, 2025, a federal jury found Grenden James Jordan, a 27-year-old resident of Montgomery, Alabama, guilty of illegally possessing a firearm after a prior felony conviction. This announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson.
“The illegal use of guns by individuals that have no regard for the safety of our communities, our children, or anyone but themselves will not be tolerated,” stated Acting United States Attorney Davidson. “My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting all violations of federal firearms laws to deter criminals like Grenden Jordan from engaging in these public shootings and placing innocent bystanders in harm’s way.”
Court records and trial evidence revealed that on March 16, 2024, an officer from the Montgomery Police Department responded to gunshots heard on Atlanta Highway near the Eastern Boulevard overpass. Upon arrival, the officer observed three men walking away from a blue Dodge Challenger stopped in traffic lanes. One man, identified as Grenden James Jordan, was seen throwing a firearm towards the roadside—a moment captured on the officer's dash cam video. The men then fled the scene.
Witnesses reported that these men had exchanged gunfire with a red sedan which left upon law enforcement's arrival. The Dodge Challenger displayed numerous bullet holes. Another vehicle caught in the crossfire sustained gunshot damage; it carried innocent bystanders including a mother, father, and their four-year-old child who suffered injuries from broken glass caused by gunshots.
Officers recovered an AR-style pistol thrown by Jordan along with a high-capacity drum magazine filled with ammunition. During the trial, evidence included a photo showing Jordan posing with an AR-style pistol matching the one found at the scene. The jury concluded that Jordan possessed this firearm during the shooting incident. Due to his previous felony convictions, he is prohibited from owning firearms or ammunition.
Jordan now faces up to 15 years in federal prison without parole following this conviction. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled where a federal district court judge will determine his sentence based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. Reinforced in 2017 by the Department of Justice to target violent criminals more effectively, PSN encourages partnerships among federal, state, local, tribal law enforcement agencies and community members to develop strategies for reducing violent crime.
The investigation was conducted by the Montgomery Police Department and FBI while Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon W. Bates and Michelle R. Turner prosecuted the case.
