One slain, three wounded in spate of Bessemer shootings

One man was shot dead and three others were wounded in a day of shootings in Bessemer, authorities said today.

Roger Perkins, 45, of 2416 Berkley Avenue became the first homicide in Bessemer this year after he was shot multiple times about 8:30 a.m., said Sgt. Hank Edwards, police spokesman.

Police were seeking Starlin Wayne Moore, 41, of Tuscaloosa in the shooting. Edwards said officers have a warrant with a charge of attempted murder for Moore in Perkins' death. The motive in the shooting was not released.

Three other people were shot in two separate shootings later in the day.

At 2:30 p.m., police were called to the 300 block of 11th Street South on reports of a person shot. They stopped a car at Hall Avenue and 12th Street South to find the driver and a passenger, both men, with gunshot wounds.

Their wounds were considered serious, but their names and conditions were not available late tonight, Edwards said. A suspect was in custody this evening, but his identity and a possible charge were not available.

A third shooting occurred about 5 p.m. in the 3400 block of Fifth Avenue North. Edwards said Courtney Adams, 24, was shot in the mouth during a robbery by two men. The men managed to take $300 from Adams, but not before he attempted to fight them off.

The gunshots knocked several teeth out of Adams' mouth.

Adams was treated at the scene by Bessemer rescue and transported to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Edwards said. His condition was satisfactory late tonight.

Toraine Norris