A 15-year old Bessemer, Alabama girl was shot and killed in a Valentine’s Day gun accident involving her 18-year old friend.  According to authorities, the two children were playing with a gun at the home of a relative of the shooter at the time of the incident. 

The 15-year old, Janiyah Simmons, was a high school freshman. She was shot in the chest and died at the hospital.  The shooter, Raukeem Cunningham, was a senior at the same school.  He was arrested and charged with manslaughter.

Janiyah is the fourth Birmingham City schools student shot and killed in the first six weeks of 2022.  “Once again, Birmingham City Schools is facing the tragic loss of a student,’’ said the school Superintendent in a statement.

Source:

Carol Robinson,  “15-year-old Girl Killed During Gunplay at Bessemer Home; High School Senior Charged,”  AL.com (February 15, 2022).