Third suspect, 20, arrested over Alabama Sweet 16 shooting that left four people dead
A third suspect was arrested in connection with the mass shooting of an Alabama Sweet 16 that left four dead and 28 injured.
Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, joins brothers Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, behind bars for reckless murder after they allegedly opened fire at a Dadeville party on April 15.
Hill was arrested Wednesday, one day after the two brothers. All three were charged as adults and ordered to be held without bail.
Birthday girl Alexis Dowdell was partying with her friends and family at Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio around 10:30 PM when the tragedy occurred, which led to the death of her high school football star brother Beloved Dowdell, 18.
The three other victims were identified as Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, Shaunkivia Nicole Smith, 17, and Marsiah Emmanuel Collins, 19.
Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the Alabama Sweet 16 massacre on April 15
Brothers Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, were also arrested for allegedly carrying out the shooting on Tuesday night
Alabama District Attorney for the Fifth District, Mike Segrest, said four victims were still hospitalized in critical condition, saying, “This is just the tip of the iceberg.” We’re going to make sure that every one of those victims gets justice and not just the deceased.”
Alabama law enforcement agency Sgt. Jeremy Burkett said, ‘Make no mistake, this is Alabama and if you pull out a gun and start shooting people, we’ll put you in jail’.
The shooting at the dance studio on North Broadnax Street also resulted in Philstavious’s mother also being injured.
No high-powered rifle ammunition was recovered, but special agents did find numerous small arms cartridge cases.
Russell County District Attorney Kenneth Davis, who previously spoke on another charge of reckless murder, explained, “It’s sometimes called a depraved heart in the jurisprudence.
“It means that you have committed an act so reckless that it endangers everyone, not just one specific person, but everyone.”
Both teens have been charged with four counts of the Class A misdemeanor, meaning they could face a minimum sentence of 10 years to life.
Philstavious received a full scholarship to Jacksonville State last February and was due to graduate within weeks.
High school football star Philstavious Dowdell, 18, (pictured) was one of the victims and celebrated his sister Alexis’ birthday on Saturday night
Marsiah Emmanuel ‘Siah’ Collins, 19 (left), and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23 (right), were both killed in the shooting
A fourth victim, also a senior at the local high school, was identified as Keke Smith. The teens were all about going to college in the fall
The Sweet 16 was for Philstavious’ younger sister Alexis (pictured), whose birthday party was interrupted by the fury of gunfire
Dowdell, a senior graduating in weeks, celebrated his sister Alexis’s birthday (seen with the victim on the left).
Initially, detectives said they had no suspects, but made the double arrest several days later.
Investigators are following up on “strong leads” in the shooting, Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan Floyd said earlier this week.
After days with no significant answers from authorities, Alexis and Philstavious’s mother, LaTonya Allen — who was shot twice in the attack — anxiously awaits news.
She told CNN, “I just want justice for my baby and all the other kids involved.
“They took a piece of my heart and I know the other moms and dads feel the same way.”
The attack was one of more than 160 mass shootings to have occurred in the US so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.