Korderrian De’Vante Sims Jr., a 16-year-old freshman at Winona High School, was found dead from a gunshot wound around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026. He was discovered in the front yard of a residence in the 700 block of 28th Terrace South in Bessemer, Alabama. Family members had been planning a birthday party for him that night after celebrating his birthday the week before.

The normally quiet neighborhood was shaken by the violence. The Bessemer Police Department has opened an investigation but has not released a motive, named any suspects, or announced arrests. Family members are seeking answers about why Korderrian was killed.

If anyone saw activity in the area of 28th Terrace South that morning or has information about Korderrian’s death, please come forward to assist the investigation.