A high school football star was among those killed in a shooting at a birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama on Saturday night.
Four people are confirmed to have died following the shooting, which happened at a dance studio in the small city. The latest reports from police confirm that 15 people have been left injured, with five in critical condition.
Phil Dowdell, a high school senior, has been named as one of the victims of the mass shooting that took place at his sister's sweet 16 party, his grandmother confirmed.
The teen, who had reportedly been celebrating his sister Alexis' 16th birthday before gunfire broke out shortly after 10.30pm, had been set to go to Jacksonville State on a football scholarship.
"He was a very, very humble child," grandmother Annette Allen said, according to Montgomery Advertiser.
"Never messed with anybody. Always had a smile on his face."
A second victim has been named as KeKe Nicole Smith, the manager of the basketball and track and field teams, according to the Alexander City Outlook.
Law enforcement have yet to officially release any details of victims or any updates on a potential suspect.
Pastor Ben Hayes said in a post: "My heart is broken today. I stood outside of Lake Martin Hospital until 3am watching hearts break as families learned that their child had been shot -- or even worse, dead.
"I talked with parents, educators and students. My football players. Our pastors from First Baptist Church.
"No one knew what to say. Everyone was in shock. Police officers with looks of sadness on their faces. Nothing prepares you for this."
Michael Taylor, assistant coach in football, basketbell and track at Dadeville High, told local media: "It's a small town.
"We don't have too many crimes like this, at all. So it's shocking, very shocking. Very shocking."
He explained he didn't know what sparked the shooting, other than an argument - a rumour which has been rife since the incident broke out.
"This is a good family in our community, good kids," said a shaken Hayes. "Some of the best people heading to this party."
Police held a press conference at around 10am local time, Central, during which they confirmed that there had been four fatalities and a "multitude of injuries".
Sergeant Jeremy Burkett with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said: "There were four lives, not fatalities, lives; there were four lives tragically lost in this incident and there's been a multitude of injuries."
He also said: "This is a fine city, a fine county, and absolutely amazing state and we are not going to allow one tragedy to define us."
This echoed hearfelt words from Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan Floyd, who said: "One thing I want you to know about the city of Dadeville, the city of Dadeville is a tight-knit community full of wonderful people.
"I ask you to please keep our community in your prayers, and ask you to keep my police department in your prayers.
"I also ask each of you, please do not let this moment define what you think about the city of Dadeville and our fine people.
"What we've dealt with is something that no community should have to endure."
Police are appealing for anyone with information related to the incident to contact the ALEA's State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) crime information hotline on 1-800-392-8011, or email sbi.investigations@alea.gov.
