Montgomery city officials, business leaders come together in wake of mass shooting
Montgomery city leaders and downtown business owners have come together to talk about the mass shooting and what can be done to ensure that downtown continues thriving.
The shooting happened at approximately 11:31PM on Saturday, October 4, near the intersection of Bibb and Commerce streets, in the heart of the city’s downtown tourist district. Two people were killed and 12 others were injured, some seriously.
Those who died were 17-year-old Jeremiah Morris and 43-year-old Shalanda Williams. Morris was pronounced dead at the scene while Williams died at a hospital. Of the 12 injured, seven are under the age of 20, with the youngest being 16 years old. Yesterday, Montgomery police Lt. Tina McGriff confirmed to Action 8 News that two of the five people who had been listed in life-threatening condition have improved enough to be considered in non-life threatening condition.
Against that backdrop, discussions were held on how to keep the streets of downtown safe, while assuring that businesses thrive.
At a meeting at Little Donkey restaurant on North Perry Street last night, ideas that were discussed included increasing the visibility and foot patrols of police officers in the downtown area. Business owners and police officers say they will take steps to crack down on loitering, weapons and people carrying backpacks into businesses.
“We are changing the culture, and I think that this past October 4th was very uncomfortable,” Montgomery City Council member Marche Johnson told Action 8 News. The area where the shooting happened is in her district.
“It made a lot of the leadership do some self-reflection, and we know what has to happen, and it will happen,” she said.
“I’ve been here, and as I’ve been here, I’ve seen some of the progress that Montgomery is trying to do,” LaConya Murray, the chair of Main Street Montgomery, said. “I believe in Montgomery, while I’m not from here, I absolutely believe in Montgomery and what it could be and I wanted to be a part of it. We wanted to let people know where we stand and how we can help and how do we support them. And absolutely, we don’t need a tragedy for that to happen.”
In the days since the shooting, police have made two arrests. Police have charged 19-year-old Dantavious McGhee with one count of capital murder, nine counts of assault in the first degree and three counts of assault in the second degree. A juvenile male has been arrested on the same charges. His name and age haven’t been released.
Police say more arrests are expected.
If you have information to help investigators, call CrimeStoppers at (334) 215-STOP. You can remain anonymous.
