A Sweet 16 birthday party came to an abrupt end when gunshots rang out Saturday night in downtown Dadeville leaving four dead and 32 injured.
Officials, from across eastern Alabama, responded to the shooting at Mahogany Masterpiece, which is located in the 200 block of North Broadnax Street, and found thirty-plus people suffering from gunshot wounds, at around 10:34 P.M. central standard time on Saturday, April 15, 2023.
A Mass Casualty Incident alert was issued and more agencies assisted in the scene. As victims were being rushed to local hospitals, the chaotic environment continued to the medical facilities, as people found out whether or not their loved one was dead or alive.
As the investigation began, the Dadeville Police Chief requested Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) to launched a death investigation. The agents investigating were assisted by officials with the Dadeville Police Department, Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, th Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the 5 Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
CNAW2NEWS.com Chief Crime Reporter Colin Scroggins arrived to the scene and located a man, who identified himself as the DJ of the Sweet 16 party for Alexis Dowdell. The man named Keenan Cooper stated he showed up to the party at 9:40 P.M. CDT to DJ for the party, which had a crowd of nearly 40-50. An hour or so later, while DJing, shots rang out. Cooper said, when the shots rang out, he shielded 5 teenagers from the gunfire. Cooper added that there was multiple shooters, possibly 4-5.
Dowdell’s brother was shot and killed. Phil Dowdell was about to graduate in a couple weeks and would have been headed to Jacksonville State with a football scholarship. Dowdell’s mother was shot twice and is expected to recover.
The second deceased victim, identified as KeKe Nicole Smith. The Alexander City Outlook said in a report that Smith was manager of the basketball and track and field teams. She played volleyball and softball until her junior year when a knee injury sidelined her.
The third deceased victim was identified as Marsiah Collins. He was accepted to LSU took a year off and was going to enter in the fall, according to family. Chico Perry stated on social media, “You [Siah Collins] motivated me to do this rap stuff… Never hated on nobody. you wanted to see everyone win.”
The fourth deceased victim was identified as Corbin Holston. Holston was selfless when it came to family and friends and always tried to be the protector, his mother told AL.com.
STATEMENTS
State and national leaders began sharing statements.
Governor Kay Ivey said in a statement, “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.” The state’s Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth said, “I ask all Alabamians to join me in lifting the Dadeville community toward the the Lord so He may shower everyone who suffered injury and loss with the strength, love, and consolation that only He can provide. “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted” Matthew 5:4”
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said, “Today, our hearts are heavy as we stand alongside our fellow officers with the Dadeville Police Department, the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office and the rest of the Dadeville community as they grieve the loss of four young individuals in a senseless tragedy. We ask that you please lift up this community in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days as they continue to cope with the loss and tragedy they have experienced. I can ensure all citizens that our Agency, along with the assistance of both local and federal partners, are working diligently to conduct a thorough and methodical investigation, to bring justice to bear to the victims and their loved ones.”
President of the United States Joe Biden issued a lengthy statement, which reads: “This morning, our nation is once again grieving for at least four Americans tragically killed at a teen’s birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama as well as two others killed last night in a crowded public park in Louisville. Jill and I are praying for their families, and for the many others injured and fighting for their lives in the wake of this weekend’s gun violence.
What has our nation come to when children cannot attend a birthday party without fear?
When parents have to worry every time their kids walk out the door to school, to the movie theater, 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 commonsense gun safety reforms. Instead, this past week Americans saw national
Republican elected leaders stand alongside the NRA in a race to the bottom on dangerous laws that further erode gun safety. Our communities need and deserve better.
I commend Tennessee Governor Bill Lee for signing an Executive Order to expand background checks and calling on the Tennessee statehouse to pass a red flag law. I hope more Republican officials will follow suit and take action.
I stand ready, as I always have been, to work across the aisle in good faith on federal legislation that will save lives. It is within Congress’ power to require safe storage of firearms, require background checks for all gun sales, eliminate gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability, and ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines – and this should happen without delay.”
MOURNING THE LOSSES
Following the shooting, a vigil was held near First Baptist Church in Dadeville where over a hundred people mourned the losses and prayed for the community. An American and State of Alabama flag were lowered to half staff in front of City Hall, which is on the same block as the mass shooting.
Dadeville High School, along with the community, are deeply saddened to hear about the recent shooting incident that occurred. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the students, faculty, and families affected by this tragic event,” the school said. “We understand that this incident may have caused fear and anxiety within our community, and we want to remind everyone that we have resources available for students, and faculty who may need support during this difficult time. Our school counselors and clergy are here to provide guidance and support to anyone who needs it.”
REWARD
Central Alabama CrimeStoppers is offering a $5,000.00 cash reward for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the suspect(s) involved in the Dadeville fatal mass shooting. Call (334) 215-STOP if you have information.
If anyone has any information related to this incident, please have them contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) crime information hotline at 1-800-392-8011 or email at sbi.investigations@alea.gov or contact Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 1-833-AL1-STOP or at http://www.215stop.com.
Also, if you have information for the 5th Circuit District Attorney’s Office concerning the incident or need to provide information to the individuals or families concerning victim services, please use http://www.5thcircuitda.org/dadeville.
