Again, another shooting has occurred, and 4 students are reported to have lost their lives.
The victims in the Dadeville mass shooting have been identified as Philstavious Dowdell, Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, Shaunkivia Nicole Smith, and Marsiah Emmanuel Collins. Dowdell, who was only 18 years old, was a star athlete and had committed to Jacksonville State to continue his athletic career.
The shooting took place during a party that was being held for a cheerleader on campus, and the girl’s mother was also wounded during the incident.
Fifteen patients with gunshot wounds were admitted to Lake Martin Community Hospital following the shooting.
Due to inclement weather, some patient transfers were delayed, but as soon as the weather cleared up, most of the patients were transferred to other hospitals.
Nine patients needed to be transferred, five of whom were in critical condition and four who were considered stable.
According to Heidi Smith, the marketing director for the hospital, the tragedy has been extremely difficult for the small community of Dadeville.
She added that it was so close to home, and this could have easily happened to anyone’s children or their children’s friends.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Dadeville Police Department, Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), FBI, and the 5th Circuit District Attorney’s Office, are involved in the investigation.
Central Alabama CrimeStoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to the identification and arrest of the suspect(s) involved.
They have also requested anyone with video of the incident to share it with law enforcement. Anyone with tips on the crime can call ALEA’s Crime Tip Line at 1-800-392-8011 or email [email protected].
Aiva Arthur
