Phil Dowdell, a high school football standout was among four killed in a mass shooting in Dadeville, Alabama, on Saturday

Dowdell who signed a full football scholarship at Jacksonville State Univ. was shot dead at his sister’s Sweet 16 party along with three others in a mass shooting

Shooting happened after a physical altercation the 16th birthday celebration, authorities said

28 people were also injured in the melee, including Dowdell’s mother, who sustained two gunshot wounds

The shooting happened around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday in Dadeville, Alabama

Second fatality so far identified is another Dadeville High School senior and former athlete, KeKe Nicole Smith

Majority of the victims are thought to be teens, according to local reports

Phil Dowdell, A high school football standout in Dadeville, Alabama, was among four killed in a mass shooting Saturday – an incident that saw more than 20 shot at a Sweet 16 celebration held by the victim’s sister

A high school standout athlete was among four killed in a mass shooting in small-town Alabama where more than 20 people were shot at a Sweet 16 celebration for the victim’s sister.
Phil Dowdell, a senior set to graduate in a matter of weeks, had been celebrating his sister’s birthday Saturday night at Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in Dadeville. Alexis had just turned 16. Then the first shots rang out following what police suspect was a fight.
The shooting in Dadeville, Alabama, about 60 miles northeast of Montgomery, unfolded around 10:34 p.m., according to a statement released Sunday morning by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Dowdell, a standout wide receiver, was awarded a full scholarship to Jacksonville State back this past February, was the first victim to be formally identified. 

Dadeville High School senior and former athlete KeKe Nicole [left], was also killed in Saturday’s shooting

Another fatality was identified as fellow Dadeville High School senior and former athlete KeKe Nicole Smith, who was described as “so full of love.” 
Smith, was the manager of the school’s basketball and track and field teams and played on the school’s volleyball and softball teams until her junior year, when she suffered an ACL tear.
Nearly 30 people were also injured in the melee, including Dowdell’s mother, the chaperone at the party, who was shot twice in the legs.

Dowdell [photo], was awarded a full scholarship to Jacksonville State back this past February, and is the first victim to be formally identified

Earlier in the day, state investigators probing the shooting confirmed in a statement that there had been four fatalities, though an ensuing press conference provided few new developments – such as a prospective motive or potential suspect.
On Sunday, Dowdell’s grandmother, Annette Allen, revealed her grandson was among more than 20 attendees said to have been struck by the hail of gunfire, along with the boy’s mother, who survived.
In an interview, Allen remembered her grandson as a kind-hearted individual who never caused trouble for anyone, while shedding light on the still-shrouded incident. C
ops did not reveal Sunday whether a suspect was in custody. 

While details concerning the incident are still sparse, officials have confirmed that the gunfire erupted at roughly 10:34pm Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece on North Broadnax Street

Cops did not provide an update Sunday on the condition of Dowdell’s younger sister Alexis (pictured), whose birthday party was interrupted by the rage of gunfire 

‘He was a very, very humble child,’ Allen told the Montgomery Advertiser moments after the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) confirmed the death toll in a statement Sunday morning.
‘Never messed with anybody. Always had a smile on his face.’ 
Speaking to the local paper, Allen described her slain grandson’s grin as ‘a million-dollar smile’, and confirmed he had been attending the party held by his sister Alexis – also a student at the local high school – for her 16th birthday.
The children’s mother was also there and she sustained two gunshot wounds, Allen said.
‘They was here celebrating it,’ Allen added of Alexis’ birthday. ‘Everybody’s grieving.’
Officials confirmed that the gunfire erupted at roughly 10:34pm Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece converted dance studio in downtown Dadeville on North Broadnax Street.
Local police initially did not provide any updates as to the number of victims or those injured for more than 10 hours, until an update from the ALEA around 9 a.m. revealed four in total had died.
Witness accounts earlier in the day indicated at least 20 attendees were shot – with Allen Sunday morning adding that parents seen still crowding local hospitals after waiting outside all night still do not know where their children are. 

Dowdell, a senior set to graduate in a matter of weeks, had been celebrating his sister Alexis [left], birthday Saturday night at Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in Dadeville when the first shots rang out – following what police suspect was a fight

Dowdell [center] seen committing to the school with a signing accompanied by his family – including his sister Alexis, [second right] – is the first victim to be formally identified

Dowdell, who also ran track and played basketball, is being remembered by relatives as a kind-hearted individual who never caused trouble for anyone

The shooting took place Dadeville, a tiny town of 3,000 an hour’s drive from Montgomery.
Local police initially did not provide any updates as to the number of victims or those injured for more than 10 hours, until an update from the ALEA around 9am revealed four had died

On Sunday morning, the crime scene remained cordoned off, with a tarp hanging over the glass front door of the dance establishment.
Witness accounts indicate that most of those injured were teenagers, with Dadeville cops initially airing the belief the attack stemmed from some sort of physical altercation

Taniya Cox prays who was injured in the shooting is seen with her family during a prayer vigil at First Baptist Church in Dadeville, Ala., on Sunday, April 16, 2023.

20 people were injured and four dead as a result of the gunfire erupted at roughly 10:34pm including Dodwell [photo], who was college bound on a football scholarship. The honor student also played basketball and won state honors in track last year, his coach revealed

Sgt. Jeremy Burkett with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirmed the number of shooting victims and said some of the injured remain hospitalized in critical condition. He did not identify a suspect but said the person is no longer a threat to the community.