Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, police chief angered over mass shooting suspect’s release on bond

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Police Chief James Graboys are expressing anger over the release of one of the four mass shooting suspects on bond.

The mass shooting happened on the night of October 4 near Bibb and Commerce streets, leaving two people dead and a dozen others hurt, some seriously.

Since that time, four people have been arrested — three of them on charges of capital murder, assault in the first degree, and assault in the second degree.

One of the four people arrested was charged with attempted murder. He is 19-year-old Javorick Whiting, who they announced has been released on $60,000 bond, much to the frustration of the mayor and police chief.

“Now we have a subject who was charged with attempted murder, and he’s out on bond four days after we arrested him,” Chief Graboys said. “So the police can arrest and we will arrest and we will solve crimes, we are solving this one, and as I said before, 57 other crimes over the last 30 days were serious felonies that we solved, but what happens after they get arrested, there’s a serious conversation that needs to be had, and I think we need assistance basically, both legislatively and in the judicial system, about what we’re going to do.”

Chief Graboys says he’s calling on the judicial system to partner with the police department to ensure suspected offenders will be held accountable and not have the opportunity to reoffend.

Mayor Reed posted on X, “I spoke with Montgomery County District Attorney Azzie Oliver this afternoon and she’s looking at all options to address the release of the 4th suspect in this heinous act. I appreciate her for listening to my concerns.”

State leaders are also speaking out about the release.

Governor Kay Ivey said, “Today we learn that one of the four suspects has been released back onto the streets. This is exactly the legal loophole that I and many in the Legislature sought to close when I signed the Safe Alabama package.  Next May, all Alabama voters will have a chance to end mandatory bail for those suspected of attempted murder by voting to expand Aniah’s Law.”

That law allows Alabama judges to deny bail to defendants charged with certain violent crimes.

Attorney General Steve Marshall, who’s running for U.S. Senate, said, “When violent offenders can post bond and walk free while families just buried their loved ones, our system fails to deliver justice or protect our communities.”