Mayor Condoles family of shooting victim, urges tips; announces city events and proclamation

Mayor William S. Stimpson opened the council’s April 22 session by expressing condolences to the family of Francica Craig, a bystander killed during a drive-by shooting over the preceding weekend, and by urging residents with information to come forward.

“On behalf of the city council, I’d like to issue our condolences, express our sincerest condolences to the family of Francica Craig,” Stimpson said, and described a press conference held with the FBI, the U.S. attorney’s office, the Mobile Police Department and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office. “We’re collaborating every day trying to prevent crime,” he said, and urged community members to report threats or suspicious activity before incidents occur. “I can assure you that…we will have 0 tolerance, no patience when it comes to people that would do things like that,” Stimpson said.

Stimpson also used his remarks to notify residents of several city-sponsored events: a community “Lope the Loop” 5K around the Henry Aaron loop beginning at 8 a.m.; a hazardous-waste drop-off for Mobile residents at Seals Community Center (paint and fluorescent bulbs); and a medication take-back at Mobile Police Department headquarters on Government Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He directed residents to cityofmobile.org and mprd.recdesk.com for registration and details.

The mayor read a proclamation naming May 6, 2025, “Nursing Healthy Appetites Day” to honor nurses and the Nursing Healthy Appetites initiative. The proclamation noted the initiative’s work addressing food insecurity and supporting young parents and announced an event at 11 a.m. at the USA Strada Patient Care Center, 1601 Patient Center Street. Representatives from the Nursing Healthy Appetites planning committee accepted the proclamation and thanked the council.

No council action was required for the mayor’s remarks or the proclamation; the session proceeded to the remainder of the agenda.