Police chief pleads for prayer
An emotional Dadeville police chief pleaded for prayer for his city on Sunday and law enforcement investigators pleaded for tips from the public in finding those responsible for a shooting at a birthday party that left four dead and multiple people injured.
"The city of Dadeville is a tight-knit community, full of wonderful people. I ask you to please keep our community in your prayers. I ask you to please keep my police department in your prayers," Police Chief Jonathan Floyd said at a news conference.
Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirmed the shooting broke out at a birthday party and asked for any witnesses to call the state police tip line.
Burkett also confirmed that four people were killed and "a multitude" of people were injured, but did not disclose the conditions of those wounded.
Burkett did not take questions during the news conference. He released no information on whether any arrests have been made in the incident.
Tallapoosa County Schools Superintendent Raymond Porter said grief counselors will be at Dadeville schools on Monday, but did not say whether any students were among the dead or injured.
The district will make "every effort to comfort" children impacted, said Porter.
"Don't lose sight of the fact that those are the ones most impacted by this situation," said Porter, who also called on local clergy to reach out to families of those killed or injured to offer assistance.
"I'm also asking that you please do not let this moment define what you think of the city of Dadeville," Floyd said. "What we're dealing with is something no community should have to endure."
