21-year-old killed in Bessemer shooting is city’s first homicide of 2023

21-year-old killed in Bessemer shooting is city’s first homicide of 2023

A 21-year-old man shot Wednesday afternoon in Bessemer has died.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Walterius Jamal Barnes. He lived in Bessemer.

The gunfire erupted just after 3 p.m. in the 2900 block of Fairfax Avenue. More than two dozen shots were fired.

Lt. Christian Clemons said Barnes was shot while driving a car. That car then crashed into a house.

Barnes was taken to UAB Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 8:55 p.m.

Clemons said one suspect is in custody awaiting formal charges of capital murder because the shots were fired from a vehicle into a vehicle. More suspects are sought.

Barnes is Bessemer’s first homicide of 2023.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Bessemer Police Department at 205-425-2411, the Tip Line at 205-428-3541 or Crime Stoppers 205-254-7777.