Crime
24-year-old Willie Johnson III killed in Bessemer shooting
BESSEMER, Ala. — A 24-year-old man has died following a Wednesday night shooting in Bessemer, which authorities are now investigating as a homicide.
The victim, identified as Willie James Johnson III, of Hueytown, was shot in the 1800 block of Clarendon Avenue around 10 p.m., according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
He was transported to UAB Medical West, where he was later pronounced dead.
The Bessemer Police Department has launched a homicide investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting. At this time, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been announced.
Details about what led to the shooting have not yet been released. Authorities have not said whether the incident appeared to be targeted or random.
This is an ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Bessemer Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.