Family and friends are mourning the weekend killing of a real estate agent who they said was an innocent bystander caught in deadly gunfire at a Bessemer gas station near his home.
Wesley Fowler Jr., 41, was one of three men shot to death Friday night when someone opened fire at the Citgo on Fourth Avenue North.
APD release arrest video of man with multiple warrantsAPD release arrest video of man with multiple warrants
Also killed were Christopher Eddins, 25 and Ronald Dixon Jr., 20.
Raukeem Cunningham, 20, is charged with capital murder in Bessemer’s first triple homicide in recent memory. Police said the shooting was targeted but have not identified the target or a possible motive.
Fowler worked at Protective Life and as a realtor. He had just sold his first house in the days before he was killed.
“We’re devastated,’’ said his cousin, Erika Baskerville. “It’s unreal.”
The shooting happened shortly after 11:30 p.m. Friday at the Citgo at 200 Fourth Avenue. All three victims were pronounced dead on the scene.
Det. Justin Burmeister said the shooting started in the parking lot. The shooter or shooters followed at least some of the victims into the store and continued shooting.
Fowler lived less than a mile from the store and family believes he had just stopped there to pick up something when he was caught by bullets meant for someone else.
“He was in the wrong place at the wrong time,’’ Baskerville said.
Fowler was a graduate of Erwin High School and had attended Alabama A&M.
Those close to him affectionately called him “Jon Jon” said he was outgoing, bubbly and had a contagious – and distinct- laugh. He adored his dog, Bossy.
“He was just an all-around great guy, very family oriented,’’ Baskerville said.
His cousin said the future was so bright for Fowler.
“With the real estate he had many goals. He had a lot of potential,’’ Baskerville said. “The potential was really there, and I hate it got cut short. He was really just getting started.”
Fowler, she said, will be remembered for his kind heart and his open mind.
“You knew when Wesley entered the room,’’ she said. “He was like an angel on earth.”
There has been an outpouring of grief on social media following his slaying.
“This one hurts. I have never known someone more genuine than Wesley Fowler,’’ one man wrote. “Always with a smile on his face, always the center of attention whenever I saw him, always excited to see me whenever we crossed paths.”
“Birmingham lost an amazing man,’’ he wrote.
“We are all frozen as if we don’t have words…and that’s because we don’t,’’ another man wrote. “The laughs. The sass. The moments. The support. The kindness. The determination.”
“All of these and more are descriptions of our beloved friend and brother,’’ he went on to write. “As Dr. Maya Angelou said, ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ Thank you, Jon Wesley, for making us feel loved. Always loved.”
