Jakarta –
At least four people died and several others were seriously injured mass shooting at a teen birthday party in Alabama, United States. The shooting occurred at a dance studio in Dadeville, Montgomery, with at least 20 people being shot.
“Four lives were tragically lost in this incident, and there were many injuries,” said Sergeant Jeremy Burkett, a spokesman for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). AFPMonday (17/4/2023).
A resident named Annette Allen said her grandson Phil Dowdell was among those who died, celebrating his sister Alexis’ 16th birthday.
“He was a very, very humble kid. Never messed with anyone. Always had a smile on his face,” Allen said of his grandson, a high school student who is graduating in a few weeks. He said Dowdell’s mother was also shot and injured.
“Everyone is grieving,” Allen said of the small community of about 3,000 people.
More than 12 hours after the tragedy, neither Burkett nor other law enforcement officials have provided details about who might have carried out the shooting and why, whether suspects have been detained or identified, or specifically how many people were injured and how old they were.
“We can’t share anything further at this time,” the sergeant said, adding only that “it’s related to a birthday party.”
Local media and witnesses said several of the injured, many of them teenagers, were taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan Floyd called the city “a tight-knit community full of great people”. ALEA said the State Bureau of Investigation has launched a joint investigation with Dadeville police and federal agencies including the FBI.
(rfs/rfs)
