New Orleans man killed in Bessemer bus stabbing that injured several people
The bus was carrying 40 employees of Fess Security back to Louisiana after they worked at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.
Ethan Parker 
A violent incident on a charter bus in Bessemer has left a 22-year-old New Orleans man dead and several others injured. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased victim as Darryel Sutton.
Incident Details
Bessemer police and firefighters were called to the parking lot of the Walmart on Academy Drive about 1:13 p.m. Monday. Upon arrival, authorities discovered that a physical altercation had erupted inside a bus carrying 40 Fess Security employees returning to Louisiana from the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.
Witnesses indicated that the violence broke out in the back of the bus after passengers had returned from a stop at the Walmart location. While the bus driver attempted to intervene, he was not injured during the encounter.
Investigation and Aftermath
Sutton was transported to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:59 p.m. Reports regarding the total number of additional stabbing victims have varied between two and three, though all are reported to be in stable condition at UAB.
Bessemer police Sgt. Chris Selman noted that the altercation is believed to have been sparked by a dispute over a woman. A suspect was apprehended shortly after the incident near St. Aloysius Catholic Church; however, authorities have withheld his identity pending formal charges.
The remaining security guards were transported back to Louisiana via a second bus. This tragedy marks the fifth homicide in Bessemer for 2026.
In an official statement, the Bessemer Police Department expressed support for those affected: “Our thoughts are with those who were injured, their families, and everyone affected by this incident. We are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly to secure the scene and provide emergency medical care.”
As the investigation continues, 205focus.com readers or anyone with information regarding this case are encouraged to contact investigators at 205-425-2411.
