Grand jury issues 145-count indictment against all five suspects in Dadeville mass shooting
More than a month after a mass shooting in Dadeville, Alabama, a Tallapoosa County grand jury has issued a 145-count indictment against the five suspects involved in the shooting.
20-year-old Willie Brown, 19-year-old Johnny Brown, 19-year-old Wilson Hill, and two juvenile defendants, ages 16 and 17, were charged after a mass shooting left 4 people dead, and many injured at a Sweet 16th party in downtown Dadeville on April 15th of this year.
“On Monday, May 22, the Tallapoosa County Grand Jury, east of the Tallapoosa River Division (Dadeville) reconvened at the request of District Attorney Mike Segrest by order of the presiding Circuit Court Judge of the 5th Judicial Circuit of Alabama, the Honorable Isaac Whorton”, a press release said. “On Monday, May 22, an indictment was reported to Judge Whorton and read in open court regarding the shootings that occurred April 15, in Dadeville, at a 16-year-old’s birthday party.”
As a result, the five individuals previously arrested and charged for the reckless murder of the four fatalities have been indicted on those charges as well as new charges for the surviving individuals who were also shot.
The 145-count indictment that was true billed by the Grand Jury list all five defendants and includes charges of Reckless Murder for the four deceased (a total 20 counts of Reckless Murder), 24 counts of First-Degree Assault for the 24 individuals who suffered penetrating gunshot wounds (a total of 120 counts of First-Degree Assault), and one count of Third-Degree Assault (a total of 5 counts) for the individual who suffered a superficial gunshot wound.
“If found guilty, the individuals charged face a possible sentence of 20 years to life in prison for each of the four fatalities and a minimum of 10 years with a maximum 20-year sentence on all 24 counts of First-Degree Assault,” the press release added.
Among the 25 victims who were tragically shot and survived is 37-year-old Latonya Allen, who is the mother of both 18-year-old Philstavious Dowdell, who was fatally injured, and 16-year-old Alexis Dowdell, whose birthday was being celebrated. The 24 remaining victims range in age from 14 to 19 years old.
Related stories
CrimeOPD: Police investigating shooting in Opelika; road closed
Crime & SafetyBREAKING: 16-year-old identified as victim in fatal Troup County shooting; suspect arrested
Crime & SafetyBREAKING: South Georgia mass shooting leaves five dead
WeatherFlash flood warning issued for Barbour County in southeast Alabama
Crime & SafetyOpelika man killed in Chambers County shooting; suspect charged with murder