From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Police Department (BPD) arrested a suspect in connection with a homicide that occurred 20 years ago.
According to the BPD, Rickey Ricardo Witherspoon, 46, of Bessemer, was arrested for the murder of Wesley Powell III.
On Wednesday, December 5, 2001, at around 2:15 p.m., at 707 8th Avenue North (Wavaho Service Station), Wesley Powell III was shot while inside his vehicle. He was transported to UAB Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, December 6, 2001.
“A young black male reportedly stood inside the open passenger door of the victim’s vehicle and fired several shots. The shooter then fled on foot,” Officer Truman Fitzgerald stated. “Detectives developed leads in the case that allowed BPD to seek an arrest warrant.”
Birmingham Police Detectives presented information on the case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. After assessing the information, detectives obtained a warrant for Capital Murder.
The BPD’s Crime Reduction Team took Witherspoon into custody free of any incident. Witherspoon is being held at the Jefferson County Jail with No Bond.
The story will be updated when more information is available.