Dadeville Shooting: Police Say Four Dead and 'Multiple' Injured in Alabama

Four people have been killed and multiple people injured during a shooting in Dadeville, Alabama, on Saturday night, authorities said.

The shooting occurred at around 10:35 p.m. near the 200 Block of Broadnax Street in Dadeville, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said in a news release.

"Currently, there have been four confirmed fatalities and multiple injuries," the agency said.

The state Law Enforcement Agency released little information about the shooting, but said its agents launched an investigation late Saturday night at the request of Dadeville police.

The ALEA did not provide details about what led to the shooting, and it was not immediately known if a suspect was in custody.

The Dadeville Police Department, Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigations and the 5th Circuit District Attorney's Office responded to the scene and are assisting with the investigation.

"Nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing," the ALEA said.

WRBL-TV reported that the shooting took place inside a dance studio during a birthday party.

More than 20 people were injured, the station reported, citing law enforcement on the scene. The majority of the injured are reportedly teenagers. Newsweek has not been able to independently verify the information.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, said: "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."

Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville tweeted: "Heartbreaking news overnight from Dadeville. Praying this Sunday morning for all of the victims, their families, and the entire Dadeville community."

Pastor Ben Hayes, who serves as the chaplain for the Dadeville Police Department and for the local high school football team, told the Associated Press that a local star athlete was among those killed. He said the shooting targeted a 16-year-old's 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.

Newsweek has contacted the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Dadeville Police Department for comment.

The shooting in Alabama sparked a reaction on Twitter, with Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, noting that "permitless carry went into effect in Alabama last year."

Majid Padellan wrote: "Good morning and Happy Sunday to everyone who is tired of waking up to news of yet another mass shooting, like the one in Dadeville, Alabama last night where 20 people were shot and six teens were killed at a sweet 16. This is on the NRA and the politicians owned by them."

Also on Saturday night, two people were killed and four others were injured when a suspect fired a gun into a large crowd in a park in Louisville, Kentucky.

The U.S. has seen 163 mass shootings in 2023 as of Sunday, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as four or more shot or killed, not including the shooter.

On Monday, a gunman killed five employees of Old National Bank in Louisville. That came after a shooting at a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 27, where six people, including three nine-year-old students, were slain.

Update 4/16/23, 10:20 a.m. ET: This story and its headline have been updated with information from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and other details.

Update 4/16/23, 11:12 a.m. ET: A comment from Pastor Ben Hayes was added.