BESSEMER, Ala. (WBRC) – A man charged in a recent triple homicide in Bessemer was out on bail for the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old girl in 2022. Raukeem Bernard Cunningham told police at the time that he and Janiyah Simmons was play fighting with a loaded gun when an explosion occurred and Simmons was shota freshman at Wenonah High School. Cunningham was 18 and was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Police said Cunningham remained at the scene when the shooting occurred.

Cunningham is accused of capital murder of two or more people after a shooting on August 30 at approximately 11:45 p.m. at the Citgo gas station on 4th Avenue 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 continued inside the store.

Burmeister said the victims ran inside and were chased by the suspects.

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

Police believe multiple shooters were involved.

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

If you have any additional information about this case, please call the Bessemer Police Department at (205) 481-4366 or the Crime Stoppers Hotline at (205) 428-3541. You can also contact Crime Stoppers for information by calling 205-254-7777.

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