Four dead and more than 20 people hurt in shooting in Alabama

A high school football standout was among four killed in a mass shooting in small-town Alabama where more than 20 people were shot at a Sweet 16 celebration for the victim’s sister.

Philstavious Dowdell, a senior set to graduate in a matter of weeks, had been celebrating his sister Alexis’ birthday Saturday night at Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in Dadeville when the first shots rang out following what cops suspect was a fight.

The teen was awarded a full scholarship to Jacksonville State back this past February, and is the first victim to be formally identified. 

Earlier in the day, state investigators probing the shooting confirmed in a statement that there had been four fatalities, though an ensuing press conference provided few new developments – such as a prospective motive or potential suspect.

On Sunday, Dowdell’s grandmother, Annette Allen, revealed her grandson was among more than 20 attendees said to have been struck by the hail of gunfire, along with the boy’s mother, who survived.

In an interview, Allen remembered her grandson as a kind-hearted individual who never caused trouble for anyone, while shedding light on the still-shrouded incident.Cops did not reveal Sunday whether a suspect was in custody. 

‘He was a very, very humble child,’ Allen told themoments after the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) confirmed the death toll in a statement Sunday morning.

‘Never messed with anybody.Always had a smile on his face.’ 

Speaking to the local paper, Allen described her slain grandson’s grin as ‘a million-dollar smile’, and confirmed he had been attending the party held by his sister Alexis – also a student at the local high school – for her 16th birthday.

The children’s mother was also there and she sustained two gunshot wounds, Allen said.

‘They was here celebrating it,’ Allen added of Alexis’ birthday.’Everybody’s grieving.’

Officials confirmed that the gunfire erupted at roughly 10:34pm Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece converted dance studio in downtown Dadeville on North Broadnax Street.

Local police initially did not provide any updates as to the number of victims or those injured for more than 10 hours, until an update from the ALEA around 9 a.m.revealed four in total had died.

Witness accounts earlier in the day indicated at least 20 attendees were shot – with Allen Sunday morning adding that parents seen still crowding local hospitals after waiting outside all night still do not know where their children are. 

She said they are currently going from hospital to hospital trying to find their loved ones, as cops held a conference calling for members of the community of roughly 3,000 people to remain strong.

The conference, however, did not offer any new details on the victims or a prospective shooter, with state investigators tasked with vetting the case alluding that they have an arduous investigation ahead of them. 

‘This is going to be a long, complicated process,’ ALEA spokesman Sgt.Jeremy Burkett told reporters, adding that the scene is still being processed and that a methodical investigation will be conducted. 

Neither Burkett nor other officers present provided any update as to a suspect, and would not reveal whether any arrests had been made.

Allen, meanwhile, did not divulge any details concerning the condition of Dowdell’s mother, just saying that she sustained two gunshot wounds.

The woman did not provide any information on the current condition of Alexis, the one whose party was interrupted by the rage of gunfire.

Witness accounts indicate that most of those injured were teenagers, with Dadeville cops initially airing the belief the attack stemmed from some sort of physical altercation. 

The Superintendent of Tallapoosa County, the district that presides over the Dowdells’ school, confirmed to AL.com Sunday that local students had attended the party.

The town’s police department, meanwhile, revealed Sunday that they had already handed the investigation to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, due to the magnitude and possible implications of the death investigation.

Joe Biden has reportedly been briefed on the shooting, as well as the state’s governor.

Both the White House and Gov.Kay Ivey issued statements Sunday decrying the attack, as new developments continue to come to light.

‘This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians,’ Gov.Ivey said in a tweet. ‘Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge.’

A White House official added that the president has already been been briefed on the shooting, and is ‘monitoring the situation.’ 

Witnesses reported several people running and screaming from the scene – and an unverified disturbing photo currently circulating online appears to show victims lying on the ground of venue. 

Some have called for the post to be deleted, though its authenticity has yet to confirmed.It caused the small town an hour’s drive from Montgomery to trend on social media.

Meanwhile, relatives of those hospitalized were seen waiting Sunday morning for a more concrete update.

‘The investigation is a result of a shooting which occurred at approximately 10:34 pm near the 200 Block of Broadnax Street in Dadeville, located in Tallapoosa County,’ ALEA said in the first official update on the shooting. 

‘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, the Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the 5 Circuit District Attorney’s Office,’ it revealed.

‘Nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing.’ 

When contacted Sunday, the county’s coroner would not confirm whether any minors were among those killed. 

On Sunday morning, the crime scene remained cordoned off – with a tarp hanging over the glass front door of the dance establishment on N.Broadnax Street. 

Inside the establishment, onlookers reported seeing white sheets lining the floors, while photos showed police placards littering the front sidewalk. 

The scene was still markedly less hectic then the night before, when an assortment of first responders descended on several blocks surrounding the dance studio. 

Dadeville Police, the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation, and several others were among the several agencies seen at the scene on Saturday night.

It is still unclear whether police have made any arrests – though victims were transported to local hospitals including Russell Medical Center in Alexander City for medical attention, according to witnesses. 

Marketing officials for Russell Medical told Alexander City Outlook they had received an influx of patients at roughly midnight Sunday, and had been issued an directive that they would be caring for several victims relating to the shooting shortly before.

‘At probably midnight, I was notified that we would be receiving patients into our hospital,’ Susan Foy told the paper.  

‘And it would appear that we were going to have several patients coming.From what I understand, there were quite a few people involved.’ She added she could speak an exact number of victims.

Meanwhile, Michael Taylor, Dowdell’s coach on the Dadeville high school football, track, and basketball teams, was seen on the scene this morning, telling AL.com that Dowdell, a situs slot gacor receiver, was one of the best football players in the state. 

He was also an honor student, the coach revealed, who played basketball and won state honors in track last year.

The Alexander City Outlook reported the teen recently beat out other runners at the Troy Invitational, placing first in the 100 dash and second in the 200 dash.

On Sunday around 2pm, as reports unveiling Dowdell as one of the four victims began to circulate, The Jacksonville State Football team issued its own statement mourning the would-be member of their program.

‘Our Thoughts and prayers are with the family of Philstavious Dowdell and the other victims of the senseless tragedy last night,’ the team wrote in a post to Twitter that’s since been viewed nearly 12,000 times.

 He wad a great young man with a bright future.

My staff and I are heartbroken and hope that everyone will support his family through this difficult