The suspect responsible for the recent mass shooting in Alabama no longer poses a threat to the community, police officers have claimed – as testimony from attendees at the deadly Dadeville party continues to shed light on what happened.
The shots were fired at a dance studio where local teenager Alexis Dowdell was celebrating her 16th birthday on Saturday. One of the four killed was her football star brother, Philstavious, who was due to graduate in a few weeks.
Aside from the teenager, who recently received a full Jacksonville state football scholarship, the shooting left three others dead and at least 20 injured, and subsequently left the small town of about 3,000 to search for answers.
Late Sunday, police issued an update – one that may have provided new insight into the fate of whoever fired the hail of bullets.
Additionally, a DJ working at the party provided more details on what actually happened when the shots rang out on Saturday night, revealing previous rumors had been circulating among partygoers that someone who was present had a gun.
As police continue to piece together what happened Saturday night, an officer overseeing the investigation provided an update that may have provided a clue as to the suspect’s fate
A DJ working at the party provided more details about what actually happened when the shots rang out on Saturday night, revealing that previous rumors had been circulating among partygoers that someone who was present had a gun.
Speaking to reporters Sunday night, ALEA’s Sgt. Jeremy Burkett said the number of casualties was four, while revealing that many of the injured remain hospitalized in critical condition.
He did not identify a suspect or confirm that police made an arrest – but said the person “is no longer a threat to the community”.
The comments came to Sunday night’s press conference – but did not provide a possible motive behind the shooting. A preliminary investigation conducted by local police indicated that the shooting may have been the result of a physical altercation.
Police turned over the investigation into the death investigation to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) around midnight Sunday, which later in the day confirmed the death toll in a statement.
Aside from that – and the fact that the shooting happened at a birthday party – police have remained silent on all other details related to the shooting, with only two victims identified through witness testimony.
Both of those named, including Philstavious, senior at Dadeville High School, were teenagers.
Earlier in the day, state investigators investigating the shooting confirmed in a statement that there had been four deaths, but provided little other information.
During the evening press, Burkett announced that a total of 28 were injured, including at least 15 teenagers.
The shooting took place in Dadeville around 10:30 p.m. Saturday and is still under investigation by state police.
Keke Nicole Smith (pictured left) was one of the four people killed in the massacre at Alexis Dowdell’s birthday party on Saturday night at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in Dadeville
Philstavious Dowdell, a standout high school football player in Dadeville, Alabama, was one of four dead in a mass shooting Saturday – an incident that left more than 20 dead at a Sweet 16 celebration of the victim’s sister
A bloody handprint marks a pillar the day after a shooting at a teenager’s birthday party at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in Dadeville, Alabama
Philstavious Dowdell received a full scholarship to Jacksonville State in February and was the first victim to be officially identified.
Joe Biden added in his statement: “Jill and I are praying for their families and for the many others who have been injured and are fighting for their lives following this weekend’s gun violence.
“Where has our nation come to if children cannot go to a birthday party without fear? When parents have to worry every time their kids go to school, the movies, or the park?’
Earlier in the day, state investigators investigating the shooting confirmed in a statement there had been four deaths, though a subsequent press conference provided few new developments – such as a possible motive or a potential suspect.
On Sunday, Dowdell’s grandmother, Annette Allen, announced that her grandson was among the more than 20 attendees allegedly hit by the hail of bullets, along with the boy’s mother, who survived.
In an interview, Allen remembered her grandson as a kind-hearted person who caused no trouble for anyone while shedding light on the still-veiled incident. Police did not say Sunday if a suspect was in custody.
The teenager (center) received a full scholarship from Jacksonville State last February and is the first victim to be officially identified
Firefighters wash down the scene of the shooting
While details of the incident are still sparse, officials have confirmed the shooting erupted around 10:34 p.m. Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece on North Broadnax Street
Police on Sunday gave no update on the condition of Dowdell’s younger sister Alexis (pictured), whose birthday celebration was cut short by the rage of the gunfire
“He was a very, very humble kid,” Allen told the Montgomery Advertiser shortly after the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) confirmed the death toll in a statement Sunday morning.
“Never messed with anyone. Always had a smile on his face.’
Speaking to the local paper, Allen described her murdered grandson’s grin as “a million-dollar smile” and confirmed that he attended his sister Alexis’s 16th birthday party, also a student at the local high school.
The children’s mother was also there and she sustained two gunshot wounds, Allen said.
“They were here to celebrate,” Allen added of Alexis’ birthday. “Everyone mourns.”
Officials confirmed the shooting erupted around 10:34 p.m. Saturday at the converted Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in downtown Dadeville on North Broadnax Street.
Local police initially gave no updates on the number of casualties or injuries for more than 10 hours until an update from ALEA around 9am showed a total of four people had died.
Testimony earlier in the day showed at least 20 participants were shot dead – with Allen adding on Sunday morning that parents who were seen still crowding local hospitals after waiting outside all night still don’t know where her children are.
Dowdell, a senior who will graduate in a few weeks, was celebrating the birthday of his sister Alexis (seen left with the victim) at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in Dadeville on Saturday night when shots first rang out – according to what police said guessed a fight
The teenager (center) is the first victim to be officially identified. He pledges to the school with a signing, accompanied by his family – including his sister, second from the right
Dowdell, who also ran track and field and played basketball, will be remembered by relatives as a kind-hearted person who never caused anyone trouble
Filming took place in Dadeville, a tiny town of 3,000 people an hour’s drive from Montgomery
Local police initially gave no updates on the number of casualties or injuries for more than 10 hours until an update from ALEA around 9am showed four people had died
As of Sunday morning, the crime scene remained cordoned off with a tarp hanging over the glass door of the N Broadnax Street dance hall
Witness testimony suggests that most of those injured were teenagers, with Dadeville Police initially radiating the belief that the attack was the result of some form of physical altercation
Dowdell (center), seen here after a track and field event earlier this year, received a full football scholarship last February. He was also an honor student, revealed by his coach, who played basketball and won state honors in track and field last year
The superintendent of Tallapoosa County, the district that oversees the siblings’ school, confirmed Sunday that local students attended the party
Officials confirmed several were injured and four dead as a result of the gunfire, which erupted around 10:34 p.m. but have not yet identified Dodwell (pictured) as the victim
She said they are currently going from hospital to hospital trying to find loved ones while police officers held a conference calling on members of the community of around 3,000 to stay strong.
However, the conference offered no new details on the victims or a potential shooter, with state investigators tasked with reviewing the case hinting they face an arduous investigation.
“It’s going to be a long, complicated process,” ALEA spokesman Sgt. Jeremy Burkett told reporters, adding that the scene is still being worked on and that a methodological investigation is being conducted.