DADEVILLE, Ala. — UPDATE: District Attorney Mike Segrest announced Tuesday that the 15-year-old involved in the April 15th shooting in Dadeville will now be tried as an adult. The 15-year-old was originally charged as a juvenile as required by law.
On July 19th, a transfer hearing was held, testimony was heard, and evidence presented to the Juvenile Court for consideration.
On September 12th, 2023, Juvenile Court Judge Kim Taylor entered an order for the juvenile to be transferred to the Circuit Court to be tried as an adult.
Segrest anticipates the next step will be an "Anaiah's Law" hearing and then the case will be presented to the Grand Jury.
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A sixth person was arrested Thursday and charged with murder in connection with a shooting at Sweet 16 birthday party that killed four young people in Alabama. Authorities announced the minor was arrested Thursday and charged with murder in connection with a shooting at Sweet 16 birthday party that killed four young people in Alabama.
Fifth Arrest
Willie George Brown Jr., 19, of Auburn, was arrested and formally charged with four counts of Reckless Murder. A total of five arrests have now been made 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.
Fourth Arrest
Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee, is charged with for counts of reckless murder, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. A total of four defendants are now facing reckless murder charges in connection to the fatal shooting.
The shooting rampage at the Sweet 16 birthday killed four young people, ranging from ages 17 to 23 and shocked the small east Alabama city of Dadeville. In addition to the four slain, 32 others were injured, four of them critically. The party, at a dance studio just off the town square, was in full swing when gunfire erupted.
First, second, and third arrest
Tyreese “Ty Reik” McCullough, 17, of Tuskegee and Travis McCullough, 16, of Tuskegee were arrested Tuesday. Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn, was arrested Wednesday. The district attorney said the teens will be tried as adults as required by Alabama law when anyone 16 or older is charged with murder.
The birthday girl’s brother, 18-year-old Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell of Camp Hill, died as his sister knelt beside him begging him to keep breathing. He and another fatal victim, 17-year-old Shaunkivia Nicole “KeKe” Smith of Dadeville, were high school seniors. Also slain were Marsiah Emmanuel “Siah” Collins, 19, of Opelika, and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, of Dadeville.
The shooting was the 16th mass killing in the U.S. this year. A 17th took place in Maine on Tuesday. A total of 88 people have died in the killings so far in 2023.
A mass killing is defined as the slaying of four or more people other than the perpetrator, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.