Four people have been confirmed dead after a mass shooting at a teenager’s birthday party in a small US town.
The horrific attack happened at a dance studio in Dadeville, Alabama, about 10.30pm Saturday (local time).
State police confirmed the tragedy on Sunday. CNN reports that 15 others were shot and injured.
Sergeant Jeremy Burkett did not identify a suspect but said the person was “no longer a threat to the community”, reports the Montgomery Advertiser.
Details were scarce in the hours after the shooting.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency was expected to provide more information at a media conference later on Monday (AEDT).
Last week, five people died in Louisville, Kentucky, when a bank worker went on a shooting rampage at his workplace.
Dadeville is a small town of about 3000 people in Alabama’s east central region.
Media are reporting the birthday celebration was a “sweet 16th” held at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in a former bank building.
Local grandmother Annette Allen said her grandson Phil Dowell was one of those who died.
The high school senior, who was due to graduate in coming weeks, was celebrating his sister’s special day when gunfire broke out, she told the Montgomery Advertiser.
“He was a very, very humble child. Never messed with anybody. Always had a smile on his face,” she said.
She said the boy’s mother suffered two gunshot wounds and was recovering.
Pastor Ben Hayes told the newspaper that most of the victims were teenagers.
“One of the young men that was killed was one of our star athletes and just a great guy,” Pastor Hayes said.
“So I knew many of these students.
“Dadeville is a small town and this is going to affect everybody in this area.”
It’s the second recent mass shooting in Dadeville after a gunman wounded five people at a party in 2016.
US President Joe Biden was briefed on the incident and said the rising gun violence was “outrageous and unacceptable”.
“What has our nation come to when children cannot attend a birthday party without fear?” Mr Biden said in a statement.
“When parents have to worry every time their kids walk out the door to school, to the movie theatre, or to the park?”
“Guns are the leading killer of children in America, and the numbers are rising – not declining.
“This is outrageous and unacceptable. Americans agree and want lawmakers to act on common sense gun safety reforms.”
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey posted a statement on social media.
“This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians,” she wrote.
“Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge.”
