Alabama authorities report at least four people were killed after a shooting at a birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama.
Witnesses said the shooting occurred at a 16th birthday party at Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio downtown.
Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said multiple gunshots were fired at 10:34 p.m. Saturday.
Witnesses say they heard the gunshots and saw people running.
The total number of people shot was initially reported as more than 20. Sunday morning, the State Bureau of Investigations confirmed the four deaths but did not give an updated number of people injured, The Hill reported.
However, a spokesperson for the agency said there were a “multitude of injuries” during the morning press conference and described the investigation as a “long, complicated process.”
Pastor Ben Hayes serves as the chaplain for the Dadeville Police Department and for the local high school football team. He said most of the victims involved are teenagers because the shooting occurred at a 16th birthday party.
“One of the young men that was killed was one of our star athletes and just a great guy. So I knew many of these students. Dadeville is a small town, and this is going to affect everybody in this area,” Hayes said.
Authorities have not released information on suspects or the motive behind the shootings.
Hours after the tragedy, crime scene tape still surrounded the dance studio, and a tarp hung over the glass front door. White sheets could be seen inside covering the floor, and yellow police placards scattered along the front sidewalk.
“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,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement on social media.
