From Tribune staff reports
DADEVILLE — According to a press release from Trooper Jeremy Burkett, two teenagers have been arrested and charged with murder in connection to the mass shooting that left four people dead and 32 inured in Dadeville on Saturday. By Wednesday afternoon, a third person had been charged in the incident.
Wilson LaMar Hill was charged with four counts of reckless murder in the Dadeville mass shooting.
Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), have arrested Ty Reik McCullough, 17, of Tuskegee and Travis McCullough, 16, also of Tuskegee. Both individuals were formally charged with four counts of reckless murder, according to the release. Burkett said later that the two were charged as adults. It is not known if the two people charged are related. On Wednesday afternoon, Burkett said a third person, Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn, was also charged with four counts of reckless murder.
“These individuals have been charged after a complex and thorough investigation was conducted with assistance from a multitude of law enforcement agencies, following the shooting that occurred on Saturday, April 15, near the 200 Block of Broadnax Street in Dadeville, located in Tallapoosa County. The shooting resulted in four fatalities and 32 individuals injured,” Burkett said in the release.
Travis McCullough is charged with four counts of reckless murder.
After three press conferences, more questions than answers remain. At a 10 a.m. press conference on Wednesday, Burkett said he could not provide a motive, confirm the number of guns used or the number of shots fired. Burkett also said he couldn’t say where the two suspects were arrested or where they were being held.
“Make no mistake,” Burkett said. “This is Alabama and when you pull out a gun and you start shooting people, we’re going to put you in jail.”
According to numerous reports, the shooting occurred during a teenage birthday party at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in downtown Dadeville and most of the victims were teenagers.
Photos circulating on social media showed six people down inside the venue. Their condition is unknown. The wounded have been transported to local hospitals to be treated for their injuries.
The fatalities have been identified as Phil Dowdell, 17, Shaunkivia Smith, 17, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23.. Smith was the manager of the basketball and track and field teams, according to the Alexander City Outlook. Dowdell, was a three sport star who committed to Jacksonville State in football.
“At approximately 11:45 p.m. Saturday, April 15, Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) launched a death investigation at the request of the Dadeville Police Chief,” Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama State Troopers said. “The investigation is a result of a shooting which occurred at approximately 10:34 p.m. near the 200 Block of Broadnax Street in Dadeville, located in Tallapoosa County. Currently, there have been four confirmed fatalities and multiple injuries.”
