Bessemer triple homicide suspect free on bail in 2022 shooting death of 15-year-old girl

BESSEMER, Ala. (WBRC) – The man charged in a recent triple homicide in Bessemer was out on bond for fatally shooting a 15-year-old girl in 2022. Raukeem Bernard Cunningham told police at the time that he and Janiyah Simmons was playing fight with a loaded gun when it suddenly went off and shot Simmons.freshman at Wenonah High School. Cunningham was 18 and has been charged with murder. Police say Cunningham remained at the scene when the shooting occurred.

Cunningham has been charged murder of two or more people after a shooting on August 30 at about 11:45 p.m. at a Citgo gas station on 4th Ave North in Bessemer.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Ronald Demetrius Dixon Jr., 20, Wesley Fowler Jr., 41, and Christopher Dajuan Eddins, 25. All three men were from Bessemer.

According to Detective Justin Burmeister, the shooting began in the gas station parking lot and moved inside the store.

Burmeister said the victims ran inside, where the suspects began chasing them.

The second suspect, Willie B. Stokes III, is accused of helping Cunningham after the killings. Court documents show he bought gasoline to set Cunningham’s vehicle on fire. Stokes is charged with hindering prosecution.

Police believe the shooting was carried out by more than one gunman.

The Bessemer Police Department is still looking for several other people who may have additional information about the killings.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Bessemer Police Department at (205) 481-4366 or the Tip Line at (205) 428-3541. You can also contact Crime Stoppers with tips at 205-254-7777.

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