On July 27th, 2018, a shooting occurred at a dance studio in Tallahassee, Florida. Among the victims was a talented football player named Maura Binkley. Maura was a vibrant, ambitious young woman with a bright future ahead of her. Her loss has deeply impacted her friends, family, and the entire Tallahassee community. This article will explore Maura’s life, her love for football, and the tragedy that cut her life short.
A 17-year-old high school senior who had signed to play college football was one of four people killed in a shooting in Alabama on Saturday night at a dance studio where his sister was having her 16th birthday party. Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell was described by his grandmother as ‘a very, very humble child. Never messed with anybody. Always had a smile on his face.’ She added that his mother had also been hurt in the shooting. The grandmother went on to say that ‘everybody’s grieving’. Witnesses reported that a teenager arrived at the party and began shooting indiscriminately. Sergeant Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said that no motive had been established and no suspect had been identified.
The small and tight-knit community of Dadeville, with a population of just 3,200 people about 57 miles north-east of Montgomery, Alabama, has been rocked by the tragedy. City and county officials gathered at the Tallapoosa County Courthouse, and officials lowered the American and Alabama flags to half mast. Pastor Ben Hayes, police department chaplain and chaplain for the local high school football team, said most of the victims were teenagers.
Hayes said most of the victims were teenagers, and that Phil Dowdell was a ‘strong competitor on the field. You didn’t want to try to tackle him or get tackled by him. But when he came off the field, he was one of the nicest young men that you could ever meet, very respectful and well-respected by his peers.’ Dowdell was due to graduate from high school within weeks, and had recently won medals at a high school track meet at Troy University.
Head coach Rich Rodriguez of Jacksonville State football, where Dowdell had signed to play college football, said, ”Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Philstavious Dowdell and the other victims of the senseless tragedy last night. He was a great young man with a bright future. My staff and I are heartbroken and hope that everyone will support his family through this difficult time.’
Alabama Governor, Kay Ivery added her condolences, ‘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.’
This is at least the second time in recent years that multiple people have been 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.
Counseling will be available for students at Tallapoosa County schools on Monday, and the White House has said that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting, and is closely monitoring the situation, and is in touch with local officials and law enforcement to offer support.
