DADEVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Authorities in Alabama were imploring the public Sunday to provide information about a shooting that left four dead and 28 wounded at a teenage girl’s birthday party.
Among the dead was a high school senior who planned to play college football and was celebrating his sister’s 16th birthday. The shooting broke out Saturday night at a dance hall in downtown Dadeville.
Sergeant Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency did not respond to questions during two news conferences Sunday. He did not say whether a suspect was in custody or whether investigators knew why. He also did not release the names of the people killed.
“We have to get information from the community,” Burkett said during Sunday night’s press conference.
Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, a senior at Dadeville High School who had committed to Jacksonville State University, was celebrating at his sister Alexis’ birthday party before he was shot and killed, his grandmother Annette Allen told the newspaper. Montgomery Advertiser.
“He was a very, very humble boy. He never messed with anyone. He was always smiling,” Allen told the newspaper, referring to his “million dollar smile.”
Dowdell’s mother was injured during the shooting.
“Everyone is in mourning,” Allen added.
Burkett said the shooting happened around 10:30 p.m. Saturday. “Four lives were tragically lost in this incident,” he stated.
The shootings rocked the city of 3,200, which is about 57 miles (92 kilometers) northeast of Montgomery, Alabama.
Keenan Cooper, the DJ at the party, told WBMA-TV that the party was halted for a moment when attendees heard that someone had a gun. He commented that the armed people were asked to leave the place, but no one did. Cooper said that when the shooting began shortly thereafter, some people took cover under the table he was standing on, and others fled in a hurry.
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Chandler reported from Huntsville, Alabama.
