10 people were shot and three killed in Bessemer within 72 hours on Labor Day weekend

BESSEMER, Ala. (WBRC) – Bessemer Police Chief Michael Wood says in the 54 years he has lived here, he has never seen a case of 10 people shot in three daysHe says something like this will not happen again and is now calling on the community and those responsible to do more to put an end to this violence.

Wood says we all need to work together and not resolve conflicts with guns. Parents, grandparents and anyone who knows young people need to get involved and make sure young people don’t use guns.

“Our sympathies go out to these families. No one deserves to lose a child or family member in this manner, and as I said last night, this will not be tolerated in the city of Bessemer. Quite simply, we will not tolerate this type of activity,” Wood said.

On Friday evening, according to police, three people were shot at the Citgo gas station on 4th Avenue. Two of the men were targeted, but the third victim was an innocent bystander. On Sunday evening, three more people were shot on 9th Avenue, two of them with life-threatening injuries. On Monday evening, at the same Citgo gas station, in a Candlelight vigil for Friday’s victims, four more people were shotEveryone is expected to survive.

“The behavior and what we have seen over the last three days is unacceptable. It will not be tolerated, and if we catch you, and we will, you will be aggressively prosecuted,” said Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney Lynneice Washington.

Wood says these shootings are the third incident at this Citgo gas station in the last month. As of Monday afternoon, it will no longer be open 24 hours. Wood says he has also contacted Bessemer Utility about installing at least six new LED lights in their parking lot.

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