2023 Dadeville mass shooting: Difference between revisions

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The '''2023 Dadeville mass shooting''' was a [[List of homicides in 2023#Tallapoosa County|fatal incident]] that took place on the evening of [[April 15]], [[2023]] during a birthday party in [[Dadeville]]. Four people were killed, and at least 32 others were injured.
The '''2023 Dadeville mass shooting''' was a [[List of homicides in 2023#Tallapoosa County|fatal incident]] that took place on the evening of [[April 15]], [[2023]] during a birthday party in [[Dadeville]]. Four people were killed, and at least 32 others were injured.


On the night of the shooting, a "sweet sixteen" birthday party was being held for Alexis Dowdell, with around 50 attendees at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio, in the former [[Bank of Dadeville]] building at 220 North Broadnax Street. At some point in the evening word began spreading that one or more people present were in possession of firearms. Keenan Cooper, the DJ for the event, told WBMA-TV that he had paused the music for an announcement that anyone carrying a gun should leave the event, but no one did. At 10:34 PM the party was interrupted by gunfire. Within minutes dozens of wounded people and pools of blood were impeding others from being able to flee.
On the night of the shooting, a "sweet sixteen" birthday party was being held for Alexis Dowdell, a cheerleader at [[Dadeville High School]]. Around 50 people were attending the event at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio, in the former [[Bank of Dadeville]] building at 220 North Broadnax Street. Dadeville assistant football coach Michael Taylor, who was on the scene, told reporters that "the event had chaperones and security." (Alsharif & Romero - April 17, 2023)
 
At some point in the evening word began spreading that one or more people present were in possession of firearms and some said that an armed individual was turned away from the door. Keenan Cooper, the DJ for the event, told WBMA-TV that he had paused the music for an announcement by Alexis' mother, LaTonya Allen, that anyone carrying a gun should leave the party, but no one did, and dancing resumed. As word spread of the possibility of violence, at least two brothers of attendees, Phil Dowdell and Corbin Holston, arrived to check on their younger siblings.
 
At 10:34 PM the party was interrupted by gunfire. Within minutes dozens of wounded people and pools of blood were impeding others from being able to flee. Phil Dowdell and Corbin Holston were among the four who died from their injuries.


Many of those wounded were transported to the [[Lake Martin Community Hospital]] in Dadeville, or to the [[Russell Medical Center]] in [[Alexander City]]. Some were transferred to [[East Alabama Medical Center]] in [[Opelika]] or to [[Children’s of Alabama]] and [[UAB Hospital]] in [[Birmingham]].
Many of those wounded were transported to the [[Lake Martin Community Hospital]] in Dadeville, or to the [[Russell Medical Center]] in [[Alexander City]]. Some were transferred to [[East Alabama Medical Center]] in [[Opelika]] or to [[Children’s of Alabama]] and [[UAB Hospital]] in [[Birmingham]].
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The identity of a suspect or suspects has not been made public, but investigators have reported that, "the person is no longer a threat to the community." (Gladden & Roney - April 16, 2023). It was also revealed that the shell casings found at the scene were consistent with handguns rather than high-powered rifles. (Robinson - "Dadeville shooting injured more people than originally thought", April 17, 2023)
The identity of a suspect or suspects has not been made public, but investigators have reported that, "the person is no longer a threat to the community." (Gladden & Roney - April 16, 2023). It was also revealed that the shell casings found at the scene were consistent with handguns rather than high-powered rifles. (Robinson - "Dadeville shooting injured more people than originally thought", April 17, 2023)


[[Dadeville First Baptist Church]] pastor [[Ben Hayes]], who serves as chaplain for the [[Dadeville High School]] football team and for the [[Dadeville Police Department]], was on hand to console the families and friends of victims. He hosted a prayer vigil at his church the following night.
[[Dadeville First Baptist Church]] pastor [[Ben Hayes]], who serves as chaplain for the [[Dadeville High School]] football team and for the [[Dadeville Police Department]], was on hand to console the families and friends of victims. He hosted a prayer vigil at his church the following night. Coach Michael Taylor, who was close to Phil Dowdell, said that "We’ve got to pray our way out of this. There ain’t no other way." (Williams, et al - April 17, 2023)
 
The [[Alabama Law Enforcement Agency]] is leading the investigation at the request of Dadeville Police chief [[Jonathan Floyd]]. Senior Trooper [[Jeremy Burkett]] served as spokesperson for the state's investigation. [[Mike Segrest]], District Attorney for the [[5th Judicial District of Alabama]] is collecting evidence for criminal prosecution and also coordinating services to victims and resources for witnesses. [[Central Alabama Crime Stoppers]] offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The [[Alabama Law Enforcement Agency]] is leading the investigation at the request of Dadeville Police chief [[Jonathan Floyd]]. Senior Trooper [[Jeremy Burkett]] served as spokesperson for the state's investigation. [[Mike Segrest]], District Attorney for the [[5th Judicial District of Alabama]] is collecting evidence for criminal prosecution and also coordinating services to victims and resources for witnesses. [[Central Alabama Crime Stoppers]] offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.


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* Shaunkivia Nicole "Keke" Smith, 17, of Dadeville was student manager for the Dadeville High School track team and had been accepted at the [[University of Alabama]] for the fall.
* Shaunkivia Nicole "Keke" Smith, 17, of Dadeville was student manager for the Dadeville High School track team and had been accepted at the [[University of Alabama]] for the fall.
* Philstavious Dowdell, 18, of [[Camp Hill]], was the brother of the girl whose birthday was being celebrated. His sister and mother were both wounded. He was a standout football player at Dadeville High School and had accepted a scholarship to attend Jacksonville University in the fall.
* Philstavious Dowdell, 18, of [[Camp Hill]], was the brother of the girl whose birthday was being celebrated. His sister and mother were both wounded. He was a standout football player at Dadeville High School and had accepted a scholarship to attend Jacksonville University in the fall.
* Marsiah Emmanuel "Siah" Collins, 19, of [[Opelika]]
* Marsiah Emmanuel "Siah" Collins, 19, of [[Opelika]] had graduated from Opelika High School in 2022 and was planning to attend Louisiana State University in the fall.
* Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, of Dadeville, was a 2018 graduate of Dadeville High School. He was not attending the party but went to check on a younger relative there who had communicated to him that there might be trouble.
* Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, of Dadeville, was a 2018 graduate of Dadeville High School and resided in Birminigham. He was not attending the party but went to check on a younger relative there who had communicated to him that there might be trouble.


==Context==
==Context==
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* Robinson, Carol (April 17, 2023) "[https://www.al.com/news/2023/04/dadeville-shooting-injured-more-people-than-originally-thought-alea-says-handguns-likely-used.html Dadeville shooting injured more people than originally thought, ALEA says: Handguns likely used]" {{AL}}
* Robinson, Carol (April 17, 2023) "[https://www.al.com/news/2023/04/dadeville-shooting-injured-more-people-than-originally-thought-alea-says-handguns-likely-used.html Dadeville shooting injured more people than originally thought, ALEA says: Handguns likely used]" {{AL}}
* Robinson, Carol (April 17, 2023) "[https://www.al.com/news/2023/04/high-school-cheerleaders-and-close-friends-critically-injured-in-dadeville-shooting-people-are-praying.html High school cheerleaders and close friends critically injured in Dadeville shooting: ‘People are praying’]" {{AL}}
* Robinson, Carol (April 17, 2023) "[https://www.al.com/news/2023/04/high-school-cheerleaders-and-close-friends-critically-injured-in-dadeville-shooting-people-are-praying.html High school cheerleaders and close friends critically injured in Dadeville shooting: ‘People are praying’]" {{AL}}
* Alsharif, Mirna & Dennis Romero (April 17, 2023) "[https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/4-killed-multiple-injuries-alabama-shooting-rcna79925 4 killed, 28 injured at 16-year-old's birthday party in Alabama, police say]." NBC News
* Thornton, William; Mike Cason; Carol Robinson; and Jeremy Gray (April 17, 2023) "[https://www.al.com/news/2023/04/dadeville-mass-shooting-what-we-know-today-after-4-killed-28-injured-at-alabama-birthday-party.html Dadeville mass shooting: What we know today after 4 killed, 32 injured at Alabama birthday party]" {{AL}}
* Thornton, William; Mike Cason; Carol Robinson; and Jeremy Gray (April 17, 2023) "[https://www.al.com/news/2023/04/dadeville-mass-shooting-what-we-know-today-after-4-killed-28-injured-at-alabama-birthday-party.html Dadeville mass shooting: What we know today after 4 killed, 32 injured at Alabama birthday party]" {{AL}}
* Holpuch, Amanda & Glenny Brock (April 17, 2023) "[https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/17/us/alabama-shooting-dadeville-16-birthday.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Alabama Town Waits for Answers After a Birthday Party Turns Deadly]" ''The New York Times''
* Holpuch, Amanda & Glenny Brock (April 17, 2023) "[https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/17/us/alabama-shooting-dadeville-16-birthday.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Alabama Town Waits for Answers After a Birthday Party Turns Deadly]" ''The New York Times''
* Williams, Ashley R.; Marty Roney; Adrianna Rodriguez; and Thao Nguyen (April 17, 2023) "[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/04/17/alabama-birthday-party-shooting-live-updates-victims-motive/11680163002/ Police search for shooter, motive after deadly Alabama birthday party shooting; victims identified: Updates]" ''USA Today''
* Robinson, Carol (April 18, 2023) "Mother of teen shot at Dadeville birthday party prays for healing, justice: ‘God will handle it’." {{AL}}
* Robinson, Carol (April 18, 2023) "Mother of teen shot at Dadeville birthday party prays for healing, justice: ‘God will handle it’." {{AL}}
* Chandler, Kim & Jeff Amy (April 18, 2023) "[https://apnews.com/article/alabama-birthday-party-shooting-dadeville-7fcbb4eae66674a5dfb73e2fd8c42cf8 Alabama birthday girl begged dying brother to ‘stay with me’]" Associated Press
* Chandler, Kim & Jeff Amy (April 18, 2023) "[https://apnews.com/article/alabama-birthday-party-shooting-dadeville-7fcbb4eae66674a5dfb73e2fd8c42cf8 Alabama birthday girl begged dying brother to ‘stay with me’]" Associated Press
* Wendling, Mike (April 18, 2023) "[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65306781 Dadeville, Alabama, left without answers after deadly mass shooting]" BBC News
* Parker, Jessica (April 18, 2023) "[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65275839 Alabama shooting: Phil Dowdell died saving sister's life]" BBC News


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 13:10, 18 April 2023

The 2023 Dadeville mass shooting was a fatal incident that took place on the evening of April 15, 2023 during a birthday party in Dadeville. Four people were killed, and at least 32 others were injured.

On the night of the shooting, a "sweet sixteen" birthday party was being held for Alexis Dowdell, a cheerleader at Dadeville High School. Around 50 people were attending the event at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio, in the former Bank of Dadeville building at 220 North Broadnax Street. Dadeville assistant football coach Michael Taylor, who was on the scene, told reporters that "the event had chaperones and security." (Alsharif & Romero - April 17, 2023)

At some point in the evening word began spreading that one or more people present were in possession of firearms and some said that an armed individual was turned away from the door. Keenan Cooper, the DJ for the event, told WBMA-TV that he had paused the music for an announcement by Alexis' mother, LaTonya Allen, that anyone carrying a gun should leave the party, but no one did, and dancing resumed. As word spread of the possibility of violence, at least two brothers of attendees, Phil Dowdell and Corbin Holston, arrived to check on their younger siblings.

At 10:34 PM the party was interrupted by gunfire. Within minutes dozens of wounded people and pools of blood were impeding others from being able to flee. Phil Dowdell and Corbin Holston were among the four who died from their injuries.

Many of those wounded were transported to the Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville, or to the Russell Medical Center in Alexander City. Some were transferred to East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika or to Children’s of Alabama and UAB Hospital in Birmingham.

The identity of a suspect or suspects has not been made public, but investigators have reported that, "the person is no longer a threat to the community." (Gladden & Roney - April 16, 2023). It was also revealed that the shell casings found at the scene were consistent with handguns rather than high-powered rifles. (Robinson - "Dadeville shooting injured more people than originally thought", April 17, 2023)

Dadeville First Baptist Church pastor Ben Hayes, who serves as chaplain for the Dadeville High School football team and for the Dadeville Police Department, was on hand to console the families and friends of victims. He hosted a prayer vigil at his church the following night. Coach Michael Taylor, who was close to Phil Dowdell, said that "We’ve got to pray our way out of this. There ain’t no other way." (Williams, et al - April 17, 2023)

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is leading the investigation at the request of Dadeville Police chief Jonathan Floyd. Senior Trooper Jeremy Burkett served as spokesperson for the state's investigation. Mike Segrest, District Attorney for the 5th Judicial District of Alabama is collecting evidence for criminal prosecution and also coordinating services to victims and resources for witnesses. Central Alabama Crime Stoppers offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Victims

  • Shaunkivia Nicole "Keke" Smith, 17, of Dadeville was student manager for the Dadeville High School track team and had been accepted at the University of Alabama for the fall.
  • Philstavious Dowdell, 18, of Camp Hill, was the brother of the girl whose birthday was being celebrated. His sister and mother were both wounded. He was a standout football player at Dadeville High School and had accepted a scholarship to attend Jacksonville University in the fall.
  • Marsiah Emmanuel "Siah" Collins, 19, of Opelika had graduated from Opelika High School in 2022 and was planning to attend Louisiana State University in the fall.
  • Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, of Dadeville, was a 2018 graduate of Dadeville High School and resided in Birminigham. He was not attending the party but went to check on a younger relative there who had communicated to him that there might be trouble.

Context

The incident in Dadeville took place during a period of renewed public debate over gun control and public safety following mass shootings at the Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky and at Covenant Presbyterian School in Nashville, Tennessee during the previous month. The shooting took place one day after Republican presidential candidates Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, and Donald Trump all spoke at the National Rifle Association-Institute for Legislative Action "Leadership Forum" in Indianapolis, Indiana.

References

External links

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