2023 Dadeville shooting

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Coordinates: 32°49′54″N 85°45′48″W / 32.83175°N 85.76339°W / 32.83175; -85.76339
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2023 Dadeville shooting
Site of the shooting, as pictured in 2019 prior to its conversion to Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio
LocationDadeville, Alabama, U.S.
Coordinates32°49′54″N 85°45′48″W / 32.83175°N 85.76339°W / 32.83175; -85.76339
DateApril 15, 2023 (2023-04-15)
10:34 p.m. (CST)
Attack type
Mass shooting
WeaponsHandgun(s)[1]
Deaths4
Injured32 (25 by gunfire)[2]
AccusedJohnny Letron Brown
Willie George Brown Jr
Wilson LaMar Hill
Travis McCullough
Tyreese McCullough
Sherman Peters
ChargesReckless murder (4 counts each)

On April 15, 2023, a mass shooting occurred in Dadeville, Alabama, United States. The victims were mostly teenagers, with four fatalities and thirty-two injuries.[2][3][4] The shooting took place at a 16th birthday celebration[5][6][7] at the former Dadeville Bank, at 220 N. Broadnax St, which had been converted into the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in 2021.[8]

Shooting[edit]

The gunfire began on April 15, 2023, at 10:34 p.m. CST. The birthday celebrant recounted that her older brother had found her at the party after hearing that someone there had a gun. The celebrant's mother, after hearing the same rumor, had turned on the lights and demanded anyone with a gun to leave. When no one left she turned the lights back off.[9] An eyewitness stated that shooting began within five minutes of the birthday celebrant's mother telling those with guns to leave the building.[10]

The party DJ said that the celebration stopped when a person carrying a gun was turned away. He said that the shooting broke out about an hour later.[11] According to WRBL, the shooting was thought to be the result of an altercation.[3] Investigators found numerous handgun shell casings but no high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene.[1]

Victims[edit]

Four people were killed and thirty-two people were injured. Those killed were Marsiah Emmanuel Collins, 19; Philstavious Dowdell, 18; Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23; and Shaunkivia Nicole Smith, 17.[12][13][14] Dowdell was the brother of the birthday celebrant.[15]

Aftermath[edit]

Tallapoosa County school district organized for counselors to be on hand for any student who needs help in the aftermath of the shooting.[10] Flags outside Dadeville High School were lowered to half-mast and sporting events were cancelled, and vigils were held on April 16 for the victims.[9][16]

In light of the attack, President Joe Biden referred to increasing gun violence in the United States as "outrageous and unacceptable", and demanded Congress enact legislation making firearm manufacturers more responsible for gun violence, prohibiting assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, requiring safe firearm storage, and requiring background checks for the sale of firearms.[17]

Dadeville Mayor Jimmy Frank Goodman Sr, urged for calm in the days after the shooting and that he trusted authorities to track down those responsible. He also stated that the victims were just "schoolkids trying to graduate, trying to make their parents proud. It's devastating."[16]

Jacksonville State University football coach, Rich Rodriguez, released a statement after one of the deceased victims was confirmed to have been a commit to the football team. He offered his thoughts and prayers, and said that he and his staff were heartbroken.[18]

Investigation[edit]

The next morning during a news conference, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said it had launched an investigation at the request of the Dadeville Police Department.[19] Investigators also asked for any witnesses to come forward during the news conference.[10]

Investigators recovered 89 shell casings from seven different guns at the scene. One of the deceased, Corbin Holston, was found with a gun on his chest. Approximately sixty people were inside of the venue at the time of the shooting.[20]

Perpetrator[edit]

On April 18, 2023, two teenage Tuskegee brothers, 17-year-old Tyreese McCullough and 16-year-old Travis McCullough, were arrested and charged with four counts of reckless murder, with more charges expected. They are being charged as adults. A third suspect, 20-year-old Wilson LaMar Hill of Auburn, is facing the same charges. Two more suspects were arrested less than 48 hours later. The fourth suspect, 20-year-old Johnny Letron Brown of Tuskegee, was arrested on April 19, and the fifth suspect, 19-year-old Willie George Brown Jr. of Auburn was arrested on April 20. Both men, who are cousins, faced the same charges.[21][22][23] A short time later, a sixth suspect, a 15-year-old from Tuskegee was arrested under the same charges on April 20, but his name and bail conditions were withheld due to his age.[22] The 15-year-old was later identified as Sherman Peters, who is now being tried as an adult.[24] In May 2023, the Browns, Hill and the McCulloughs were indicted on four reckless murder charges, twenty-four first degree assault charges and one third degree assault charge. The first degree assault charges represent victims who had serious gunshot injures, while the third degree assault charge represents a victim who sustained a superficial gunshot wound.[25][26]

One of the suspects, who was not named, was wearing an ankle monitor for a previous shooting.[27]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Gladden, Alex (April 17, 2023). "Dadeville shooting: Investigators find handgun ammo at scene; hospitals treat teen victims". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "ALEA: Total number of injuries rises to 32 in Dadeville shooting". WRBC. April 18, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Gabbatt, Adam (April 17, 2023). "Four people killed and 28 injured in Alabama shooting at birthday party". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  4. ^ Blanco, Andrea; Sharma, Shweta (April 17, 2023). "What we know about the victims of the Dadeville shooting". The Independent. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  5. ^ White, Elizabeth (April 15, 2023). "More than 20 shot at Dadeville gathering, investigators on scene". WRBL. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  6. ^ Mion, Landon (April 15, 2023). "Alabama birthday party ends in mass shooting leaving multiple children dead". FOX News. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  7. ^ Sutton, Joe (April 15, 2023). "Multiple people are injured after a shooting in Dadeville, Alabama". CNN. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  8. ^ Gladden, Alex (April 15, 2023). "Gunman opens fire at teen's birthday party in Dadeville". Montgomery Advertiser. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Parker, Jessica (April 17, 2023). "Alabama shooting: Phil Dowdell died saving sister's life". BBC News. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Williams, Ashley R; Roney, Marty; Rodriguez, Adrianna; Nguyen, Thao (April 17, 2023). "Alabama shooting live updates: 'I ran in front of a bullet and got shot' at tragic birthday party". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  11. ^ Alsharif, Mirna; Romero, Dennis (April 16, 2023). "4 killed, 28 injured at 16-year-old's birthday party in Alabama, police say". NBC News. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  12. ^ Grant, Teddy. "Alabama birthday party mass shooting: 4 slain victims identified". ABC News. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  13. ^ Hitson, Hadley (April 22, 2023). "What we know about the 4 Dadeville shooting victims". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  14. ^ Wolfe, Elizabeth (April 17, 2023). "What we know about the victims of the Sweet 16 birthday party shooting in Alabama". CNN. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  15. ^ Yan, Holly; Wolfe, Elizabeth; Rosales, Isabel (April 17, 2023). "Alabama investigators piecing together details of Sweet 16 birthday party shooting that left 4 dead and dozens injured". CNN.
  16. ^ a b Wendling, Mike (April 17, 2023). "Dadeville, Alabama, left without answers after deadly mass shooting". BBC News. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  17. ^ Sforza, Lauren (April 16, 2023). "'Outrageous and unacceptable': Biden slams GOP for standing with NRA in wake of Alabama, Kentucky gun violence". The Hill. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  18. ^ Donaldson, Maxwell (April 16, 2023). "Jacksonville State football releases statement after commit killed in Dadeville shooting". Gadsden Times. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  19. ^ Thornton, William (April 15, 2023). "Dadeville birthday party mass shooting: 4 dead, 20 reportedly injured". AL.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  20. ^ Valencia, Nick; Spells, Alta; Youd, Chris (April 26, 2023). "Report: 89 shell casings found, 7 guns believed used in deadly Alabama mass shooting". CNN.
  21. ^ Drenon, Brandon (April 19, 2023). "Teenagers charged with murder over shooting in Dadeville, Alabama". BBC News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  22. ^ a b Rosales, Isabel; Yan, Holly; Wolfe, Elizabeth (April 19, 2023). "6 people face murder charges for the Sweet 16 party massacre that left 4 dead and 32 injured". CNN.
  23. ^ "Fifth suspect arrested in the Dadesville murders". WAGA-TV. April 19, 2023.
  24. ^ "Dadeville mass shooting suspect to be tried as an adult". WSFA. September 13, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  25. ^ Harrell, Summer (May 24, 2023). "Suspects indicted in Dadeville mass shooting, charges added". WBMA-LD. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  26. ^ Grass, Jonathan (May 24, 2023). "5 Dadeville mass shooting suspects face more charges following indictment". WSFA. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  27. ^ McDuffie, Will (April 27, 2023). "At least 89 rounds fired in Dadeville Sweet 16 shooting, law enforcement agent reveals". ABC News. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
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