A shooting at an Alabama birthday party happened blocks from the local police station

Light Bar on Police Car - stock photo
Light Bar on Police Car - stock photoRandy Faris / Getty Images
  • A shooting at a crowded birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama killed at least four people, police said.

  • The shooting happened Saturday night at a dance studio, blocks away from a police station.

  • "I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians," Gov. Kay Ivey said.

At least four people were killed and 28 injured during a shooting at a birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama late Saturday night.

During a press conference Sunday afternoon, Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said some of the injuries included people in critical condition.

Burkett did not specify if a suspect was identified or in custody, but he urged the public to reach out to law enforcement if they have any pertinent information regarding the incident.

WRBL, a local CBS News affiliate on the scene, reported that the shooting took place at the Mahogany Masterpiece, a dance studio in Dadeville's town center. The station interviewed witnesses who said it was a Sweet 16 birthday party and that they heard gunfire before the crowd rushed to escape the building.

The dance studio, located at 220 N. Broadnax St., is within walking distance from the Dadeville Police Department.

One of the victims included Philstavious "Phil" Dowdell, a Dadeville High School senior who was siblings with the girl celebrating her 16th birthday at the venue, The Associated Press reported. Dowdell had plans to play football at Jacksonville State University, according to The Montgomery Advertiser.

"This does not represent our community, this does not represent our children," said Raymond Porter, the county's superintendent of schools, who spoke at the press conference alongside police officials.

Dadeville is a small town of just under 3,000 people in Tallapoosa County.

Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan Floyd described the town as a "Tight-knit community."

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey released a statement Sunday morning, saying: "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," the tweet said.

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