Four fatalities have been confirmed after a shooting at a birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama - among them, a high school athlete.
Phil Dowdell has been named by his grandmother as one of the victims of the mass shooting which took place at a birthday celebration shortly after 10.30pm on Saturday night, April 15. 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.
His grandmother confirmed that he had been attending his sister Alexis' 'Sweet-16' party before gunfire broke out. The high school athlete had been on track 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 statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said: "Currently, there have been four confirmed fatalities and multiple injuries."
Police were called to reports of a shooting at 10.34pm on Saturday night, April 15, in the small city of Dadeville, at what appeared to be a 'Sweet-16' party.
Police have confirmed that the incident took place at a "birthday celebration", but in a press conference, Sergeant Jeremy Burkett of ALEA, said: "We were able to confirm that it was tied to a birthday celebration, we can't share anything further at this time with regards to that as it is an ongoing investigation."
Pastor Ben Hayes took to Facebook earlier in the day to share an update. He said: "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."
Dowdell's grandmother called his grin a "million-dollar smile".
She said multiple teens were shot at the party as well as Dowdell's mother, who reportedly sustained two gunshot wounds.
Allen said a lot of parents didn't know where their children were and were going from hospital to hospital to find them.
“They was here celebrating it," Allen said about Alexis' birthday.
"Everybody's grieving," Allen said.
A spokesperson for ALEA said: "At approximately 11.45pm on Saturday, April 15, Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) launched a death investigation at the request of the Dadeville Police Chief.
"The investigation is as a result of a shooting which occurred at approximately 10.34pm, near the 200 Block of Broadnax Street in Dadeville, located in Tallapoosa County."
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.
Initially six bodies appeared to have been pictured on the ground at the teenager's birthday party as police respond to reports of a mass shooting in Dadeville, Alabama.
Local news outlet WRBL reported that up to 20 people were injured. A graphic photo shared by a witness showed bodies on the ground.
Though it has yet to be confirmed by law enforcement, it's thought that the majority of those wounded are teenagers who were attending a reported 'Sweet-16' birthday party.
Dadeville Chief of Police, Jonathan Floyd, said at the press conference: "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. I just ask you for patience, it's going to be a long process."
It's believed the shooting took place at the Mohagany Masterpiece dance studio, near East Green Street and North Broadnax Street - just around the corner from the local courthouse.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey took to Twitter to say: "This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fllow Alabamians.
"Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge."
Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth said: "I ask all Alabamians to join me in lifting the Dadeville community toward the Lord so He may shower everyone who suffered injury and loss with strength, love, and consolation that only He can provide. "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted" Matthew 5:4".
A witness at the scene said the total number of victims could be higher, including multiple people who died at the scene, which officials have yet to confirm.
White sheets were covering the bodies and multiple families were seen gathering outside a local hospital.
Evidence has reportedly been marked and cleared from in front of the building, with investigators working at the scene through the night.
Locals have been taking to social media to share their thoughts and prayers for those who have been impacted. Many have commented on the 'quiet nature' of the town.
Dadeville is a small city with a population of just over 3,000 as of the 2020 census.
The identity, whereabouts and motive of the suspect are not known, however, WRBL reported that a suspected altercation led to the shooting.
Other law enforcement agencies have been assisting Dadeville Police Department - including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's State Beureau of Investigation and the Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Office.
Police have repeatedly told reporters at the scene there will be a press conference, however it continues to be postponed.
There will also reportedly be a community-wide prayer held in the old Family Dollar parking lot on North Broadnax at 1.30pm local time, along with a prayer vigil at 5pm, local time, at the First Bapist Church.
