Dadeville shooting: Four dead and 28 injured as gunfire erupts during 16-year-old's birthday party
Update: Initial reports from the Dadeville mass shooting claimed that six people were dead and over 20 people were shot. Latest news reports, however, peg the casualty figure a tad lower and the number injured a bit higher.
Four lives were tragically lost in this incident and there’s been a multitude of injuries,” Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency revealed during a news conference Sunday, April 16. Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, a Dadeville High School senior, was celebrating at his sister Alexis’ party before he was shot to death, his grandmother Annette Allen told media outlets. Dowdell’s mother was also among those injured. Keenan Cooper, the DJ at the party, told abc3340 that the party was interrupted briefly when attendees heard someone had a gun. He shared that those possessing guns were asked to leave but reportedly no one left. Cooper said that the shooting began sometime later. The DJ revealed he tried to help those standing in front of him and so he "had a lot of people under the table and beside me trying to protect them." He clarifies that "after everybody ran out, I made sure they were ok and that's when I came out and the police arrived."
Burkett said 28 individuals had sustained a "wide variety of injuries" and some of them were in critical condition. Fifteen teenagers were reportedly treated for gunshot wounds at Dadeville's Lake Martin Community Hospital, hospital spokesperson Heidi Smith told media outlets. Of the 15, six have been released while nine have been transferred to other medical facilities. Five of the hospitalized teens were in critical condition and four were stable. Some victims were flown to a trauma center in Birmingham, Alabama, according to NPR.
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DADEVILLE, ALABAMA: At least six people were killed in a mass shooting at a 16-year-old's birthday party, and "multiple children" are believed to be among the deceased. In the horrifying shooting that took place during a birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, at least 20 people were shot.
There are few details on the latest incident in the United States. However, local media at the scene and eyewitnesses have confirmed at least six deaths occurred during an event hosted by a dance studio. Six individuals are thought to have died, and 14 others are said to have been injured in the gruesome attack at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance class in Tallapoosa County, according to The Mirror.
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More than six people died
The number of fatalities at the scene has not yet been confirmed by the authorities, however, local broadcaster Elizabeth White claimed that more than 20 people had been shot. A horrific snapshot from the incident showed at least six teens who had been tragically shot were lying on the ground. Some of those who had been wounded had died during the altercation.
Another eyewitness to the horrific massacre claimed they saw over six dead bodies covered in white blankets, raising the possibility that there were more victims than initially thought. Multiple fatalities from the incident have been confirmed by the Tallapoosa County Coroner's Office. As thw authorities described what had transpired during the shooting to witnesses and the local media, relatives of the dead could be heard screaming close to the scene, as reported by Daily Star.
Authorities have not yet provided an update
According to a witness, the shooting took place at around 10.30 pm during the birthday celebration. Some victims are receiving medical attention at hospitals, according to reports. However, authorities have not yet provided an update on the shooting's victims, injured or dead.
The identity, whereabouts, and motive of the suspect are unknown, however, according to WRBL, the shooting was the result of a rumored altercation. Other law enforcement agencies have been assisting the Dadeville Police Department in investigating the case. The bodies involved are the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's State Bureau of Investigation and the Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Office.
Louisville park mass shooting
In the meantime, shots were fired into a throng of hundreds gathered in a Louisville park that same night, leaving two people dead and four others hurt. Police have not yet disclosed any information about suspects or how many shooters were present. The last night's incident took place just five miles from the one that left six people dead, which was the city's second mass shooting this week, as per reports.