Crime
21-year-old James Sencer Bowen Jr killed after shooting outside Engineered Plastics Components in Bessemer
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle.
Bessemer police are continuing their search for a suspect following a deadly shooting that occurred at Engineered Plastics Components Inc. on Monday afternoon.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of the factory, located off Greenwood Parkway, around 3:45 PM. A male victim was transported to UAB Hospital, where he was tragically pronounced deceased.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle.
This homicide follows a violent Labor Day weekend that shocked the Bessemer community.
While some residents and workers in the area express a sense of desensitization to such violence, others are deeply disturbed by the incident.
Bessemer police have stated that Monday’s fatal shooting is believed to be an isolated incident and that the public is not considered to be in danger.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 21-year-old James Sencer Bowen, Jr.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact the Bessemer Police Department at 205-425-2411. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Crime
18-year-old Kyler Naely charged for the murder in shooting death of 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams
An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged in a deadly shooting that occurred in October, which claimed the life of a 16-year-old and injured another.
The incident began on October 6, 2024, shortly after 12:45 a.m., when officers were called to a shooting on I-244 near Yale Avenue.
Upon arrival, they discovered a gray SUV riddled with bullet holes and shattered windows. Investigators determined that seven people were inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Two occupants of the vehicle suffered gunshot wounds.
One victim, 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams, sustained critical injuries and succumbed to them several weeks later. The other victim suffered a minor gunshot wound to the arm and survived.
Preliminary investigations revealed the incident was linked to a fight at the Tulsa State Fair earlier that evening.
Witnesses reported that the altercation, which occurred as the group was leaving the fairgrounds, likely escalated into the highway shooting.
Following an in-depth investigation, Tulsa Police Homicide Detectives identified 18-year-old Kyler Naely as the suspect responsible for the shooting.
On November 19, 2024, Naely was arrested, charged with first-degree murder, and booked into the Tulsa County Jail.
Authorities emphasize that the case remains under investigation and are urging anyone with additional information to contact Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS. Callers can remain anonymous.