Four people were killed during a shooting at a 16th birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama. The incident took place on Saturday night, and the suspect is still at large. The victims have been identified as three males and one female, all between the ages of 15 and 18. The shooting occurred in a rural area outside of town, and authorities have yet to release any details about the suspect or motive. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the police.
After the shooting that took place at a 16th birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, President Joe Biden has once again called for stricter gun laws in the US. In a statement released by the White House on Sunday, he expressed his dismay at the fact that children cannot attend a birthday party without fear. This shooting marks the 160th mass shooting – where four or more people are shot – in the US this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Dadeville, a small and rural city with a population of around 3,200, is not accustomed to such violent incidents. What is concerning is the lack of information about the suspect. Very few details have been revealed about how the shooting ended, or whether the suspect is in custody or has been apprehended.
According to Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the state’s law enforcement agency, the investigation into the Dadeville shooting will be a lengthy and complex process. “We’ll be working methodically to comb through the scene, gather evidence, and ensure that justice is served for the families,” he said on Sunday evening. The injuries ranged from minor to “extremely critical,” and it’s likely that most of the victims were teenagers. Even 12 hours after the shooting, some parents were still searching for information about their children. Local media reported that one of the victims, Phil Dowdell, was identified by his grandmother. The small, rural city of Dadeville, with a population of about 3,200, is not accustomed to such scenes of violence on this scale, and the lack of information about the suspect is notable.
He was a senior in high school and was going to Jacksonville State University on an American football scholarship.
Pastor Ben Hayes, who serves as chaplain for the Dadeville Police Department and for the local high school football team, said: “One of the young men that was killed was one of our star athletes and just a great guy.
“I knew many of these students. Dadeville is a small town and this is going to affect everybody in this area.”
Teenagers at a local parking lot vigil were visibly shaking and crying as they comforted each other, reeling from the shock of the shooting. Shondra, a woman at the vigil, shared that her cousin was at the birthday party and expressed disbelief that such violence could happen in their area. Keenan Cooper, the DJ at the party, told reporters that he tried to help guests get under tables when the shooting began, but the darkness made it impossible to determine where the shots were coming from.
The party was being held for Phil Dowdell’s sister, as reported earlier by local media. The area around the dance studio where the party took place remains cordoned off.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey released a statement on Twitter expressing her condolences and denouncing violent crime. However, her message has been criticized on social media by those advocating for gun law reform. Governor Ivey has been a staunch supporter of the second amendment and signed legislation last year ending the requirement to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun in public. She was endorsed by the National Rifle Association during her candidacy for governor. Meanwhile, the investigation into the shooting continues, and the state’s law enforcement agency has promised to work in a methodical way to bring justice to the families affected.