A violent mass shooting on Saturday in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, left two dead and twelve others injured as the city hosted multiple weekend events, including sports games and the Alabama National Fair. Police have identified the two people killed in the shooting as 43-year-old Shalanda Williams and 17-year-old Jeremiah Morris.
Victims identified
Among the injured, five individuals remain hospitalised with life-threatening injuries, including a child. Authorities say the shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m., with one of the victims likely being targeted. Gunfire quickly erupted from other armed individuals nearby, leading to a chaotic exchange of shots in a crowded area.
Montgomery Police Chief Jim Graboys described the incident as a “mass shooting” involving two groups of people who began firing at one another without regard for the bystanders around them.
“This was two parties involved that were basically shooting at each other in the middle of a crowd,” Graboys said, adding that police are still investigating the motive behind the attack.
Seven of the 14 casualties were under 20 years old, and the youngest victim was just 16 years old. Two of the injured were armed. The gunfire erupted when one of the 14 victims was targeted, leading to a retaliatory exchange.
Multiple high-capacity weapons and shell casings were recovered from the scene, according to law enforcement.
Montgomery Police are working to piece together the events, and no suspects have been arrested as of Sunday afternoon. Police Chief Graboys called for the public’s assistance in providing any video or information that could lead to arrests.
“If anybody has any information, you have a responsibility for this community, and to help people in this community to give that information to us,” Graboys urged.
$25,000 reward
The shooting happened as Montgomery was hosting several major events. Alabama State University‘s homecoming football game was underway at Hornet Stadium, the Alabama National Fair was in full swing at Garrett Coliseum, and the historic Tuskegee University-Morehouse College football rivalry game had just concluded at Cramton Bowl.
In disturbing footage posted on social media, large crowds of people can be seen fleeing after gunshots are heard, as chaos spread throughout the fairground area.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed criticized the gunmen for their reckless disregard for public safety, noting that police were within 50 feet when the shooting occurred.
“These individuals had no regard for human life,” Reed said. “This is unacceptable.”
In response to the violence, Mayor Reed has offered a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the identification and capture of the shooters, in addition to a $5,000 reward offered through Crime Stoppers.