Four Killed, at Least 32 Others Injured in Mass Shooting at Birthday Party in Dadeville
NOTE: ALEA said late Monday afternoon that 32 people were injured in the shooting. Previously, ALEA said the number was 28.
A shooting late Saturday night at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville has left four people dead and at least 32 injured.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the shooting happened at about 10:30PM in downtown Dadeville. Crime scene tape can be seen near the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio on Broadnax Street, where the party took place, as well as other buildings.
Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says there have been a “multitude” of injuries. Late Sunday afternoon, he said at least 28 people were hurt, some critically.
A Dadeville High School senior who had signed to play college football at Jacksonville State University was among the four people killed.
Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell was celebrating at his sister’s 16th birthday party when he was shot to death. His mother was injured.
Pastor Ben Hayes of First Baptist Church in Dadeville, who serves as the chaplain for the Dadeville Police Department and for the local high school football team, told ABC News Sunday morning that he’d been at a hospital overnight with the families of those killed and injured.
He said family members told him gunfire erupted when tempers flared during an argument. Hayes said there were more than 50 people at the party when the shooting occurred.
Investigators have not said what led to the shooting. It is not known if a suspect was in custody.
Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan Floyd is asking for patience and prayers as investigators do their work.
Keenan Cooper, the DJ at the party, told WBMA-TV that the party was stopped briefly when attendees heard someone had a gun. He said people with guns were asked to leave, but no one left. Cooper said when the shooting began some time later, some people took shelter under a table where he was standing, and others ran out.
Pastor Jason Whetstone, who leads the Christian Faith Fellowship, said the granddaughter of one of his church members was shot in the foot and underwent surgery Sunday.
“All of our hearts are hurting right now. We’re just trying to pull together to find strength and comfort,” Whetstone said before an interfaith vigil in the parking lot of First Baptist Church Sunday afternoon.
“We are a loving community,” he said. “We’re pulling together in every aspect to comfort each and every one of these children, the teachers, all of the community.”
Investigators on Sunday continued filing in and out of the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio. At least five bullet holes were visible in the studio’s front windows.
Dadeville Mayor Frank Goodman said he was in bed asleep when a council member called him just before 11 p.m. Saturday. He said he went to Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville, where some of the people who had been shot were taken.
“It was chaotic,” Goodman said. “There were people running around. They were crying and screaming. There were police cars everywhere, there were ambulances everywhere. People were trying to find out about their loved ones. That was a scene, where we never had anything like this happen in our city before.”
ALEA has asked that anyone with a tip that might help in the investigation to call (800) 392-8011. Tips can also be emailed to: sbi.investigations@alea.gov
The following agencies responded to the scene and are currently assisting with the investigation: The Dadeville Police Department, Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the 5th Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
Gov. Kay Ivey has released this statement on social media:
This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians. Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge.
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) April 16, 2023
CBS News reports that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting, the White House said, adding that it is closely monitoring the situation and has been in touch with local officials and law enforcement to offer support.
(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
