Several people were killed during a shooting at a birthday party, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. Photo / AP
Several people were killed during a shooting at a birthday party, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. Photo / AP
Investigators were gathering evidence on Sunday at an Alabama dance studio where four people were killed and multiple others were injured during a shooting on Saturday night at a teenager’s birthday party.
The shooting happened around 10.30pm in Dadeville, Sergeant Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. There was no initial confirmation about what led to the shooting. It was not immediately known if a suspect was in custody.
Authorities work on the scene of a shooting in Dadeville. Photo / Elizabeth White, WRBL via AP
“There were four lives tragically lost in this incident and there’s been a multitude of injuries,” Burkett said during a news conference Sunday morning.
The shootings rocked the city of 3200 residents, which is about 92km northeast of Montgomery, Alabama.
Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan L. Floyd paused to regain his composure before speaking at the news conference.
“What we’ve dealt with is something that no community should have to endure. I just ask for your patience. It’s going to be a long process, but I do earnestly solicit your prayers,” Floyd said.
Authorities cordon off the scene of a shooting in Alabama. Photo / Elizabeth White, WRBL via AP
More than 12 hours after the shooting, investigators continued filing in and out of the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio. City and county officials milled about the Tallapoosa County Courthouse less than a block away, where officials lowered the American and Alabama flags to half-staff.
Pastor Ben Hayes, who serves as chaplain for the Dadeville Police Department and for the local high school football team, said most of the victims are teenagers because the shooting occurred at a birthday party for a 16-year-old. He said the shooting has rocked the small town where serious crime is rare.
“One of the young men that was killed was one of our star athletes and just a great guy. So I knew many of these students. Dadeville is a small town and this is going to affect everybody in this area,” Hayes said.
The Tallapoosa County school system said counselling will be available for students at the schools Monday, the school superintendent, Raymond C. Porter, said.
“This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians. Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge,” Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said in a statement posted on social media.
This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians. Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting, the White House said, adding that it is closely monitoring the situation and has been in touch with local officials and law enforcement to offer support.
This is at least the second time in recent years that multiple people were shot in Dadeville. Five people were wounded in July 2016 during a shooting at an American Legion hall, and a man was later charged with five counts of attempted murder, news outlets reported.
