Alabama mass shooting updates: 4 killed, 32 hurt in shooting at birthday party

The shooter is still at large.

Last Updated: April 17, 2023, 9:32 AM EDT

Four people were killed and 32 others injured when a mass shooting broke out at a crowded sweet 16 birthday party in rural Dadeville, Alabama, on Saturday night, authorities said.

The shooter is still at large.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Apr 17, 2023, 9:32 AM EDT

Police have 'solid leads' but need help from public

The Dadeville Police Department has "solid leads" as they search for the suspected shooter, but authorities still need help from the public, Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan Floyd told ABC News on Monday.

Floyd asked anyone with photos or videos from Saturday night's sweet 16 party to come forward.

A bloody handprint can be seen as firefighters wash down the scene of a shooting the day before at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio on April 16, 2023 in Dadeville, Ala.
Megan Varner/Getty Images

Due to the department's manpower and resources, Floyd said the Alabama State Bureau of Investigations is taking the lead with the investigation.

-ABC News' Elwyn Lopez

Apr 16, 2023, 7:00 PM EDT

Star high school athlete killed in shooting

One of the four people killed in the mass shooting in Dadeville, Alabama, was a star high school football player and track team member, his coach told ABC News.

Philstavious "Phil" Dowdell, a senior at Dadeville High School, had committed to attending Jacksonville State University on a football scholarship, said coach Roger McDowell.

Phil Dowdell seen here in an undated file photo from his Facebook page.
Phil Dowdell/Facebook

IMcDowell said Dowdell was at a sweet 16 birthday party at a venue in Dadeville Saturday night when a shooting erupted.

Mourners attend a vigil at the First Baptist Church of Dadeville following last night's mass shooting at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio on April 16, 2023 in Dadeville, Ala.
Megan Varner/Getty Images

In addition to those killed, at least 28 people were injured. McDowell said Dowdell's mother, who was a chaperone at the party, was among those hurt, shot twice in the legs.

Rich Rodriguez, Jacksonville State's head football coach, said in a post on Twitter Sunday, that the death of Dowdell and the other victims is a "senseless tragedy."

"He was a great young man with a bright future," Rodriguez tweeted. "My staff and I are heartbroken and hope that everyone will support his family through this difficult time."

Norman Brooks covers the door of the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio, the scene of last night's deadly shooting, on April 16, 2023 in Dadeville, Ala.
Megan Varner/Getty Images

McDowell said he also knew a teenage girl who was killed in the shooting. He said she was a senior and the manager of the track and football teams.

In addition to being a standout wide receiver, Dowdell was also a member of the high school track team, McDowell said.

"Phil was humble with a major smile," McDowell told ABC News. "He had one goal to get to the NFL and take care of his mom."

-ABC News' Elwyn Lopez

Apr 16, 2023, 6:45 PM EDT

28 injured, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says

The number of people injured during the course of the incident is 28, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Sunday.

Some of those injuries are critical, and there's a wide variety of injures, according to the ALEA.

Community members embrace each other during a vigil the day after a shooting during a teenager's birthday party at Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in Dadeville, Ala., April 16, 2023.
Cheney Orr/Reuters

Authorities didn't mention a suspect or suspects, or an arrest, as of Sunday evening. Police said earlier in the day there was "no public safety risk at this time."

Central Alabama Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for any information.

Community members embrace each other ahead of a vigil the day after a shooting during a teenager's birthday party at Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in Dadeville, Ala., April 16, 2023.
Cheney Orr/Reuters

-ABC News' Matt Foster

Apr 16, 2023, 4:20 PM EDT

Biden calls on Congress to enact gun reform

President Joe Biden released a statement Sunday calling on Congress to enact "common sense" gun control legislation in response to shootings over the weekend in Alabama and Kentucky that left a total of six people dead.

"This morning, our nation is once again grieving for at least four Americans tragically killed at a teen’s birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama as well as two others killed last night in a crowded public park in Louisville," Biden said. "Jill and I are praying for their families, and for the many others injured and fighting for their lives in the wake of this weekend’s gun violence."

A law enforcement officer goes under a piece of crime scene tape, a day after a shooting at a teenager's birthday party in a dance studio in Dadeville, Ala., April 16, 2023.
Cheney Orr/Reuters

As he has done in previous mass shootings, Biden urged Congress to enact gun reform legislation.

"What has our nation come to when children cannot attend a birthday party without fear? When parents have to worry every time their kids walk out the door to school, to the movie theater, or to the park?" Biden said. "Guns are the leading killer of children in America, and the numbers are rising -- not declining."

Biden said the level of gun violence in America is "outrageous and unacceptable," and noted that Americans "agree and want lawmakers to act on common sense gun safety reforms."

"Instead, this past week Americans saw national Republican elected leaders stand alongside the NRA in a race to the bottom on dangerous laws that further erode gun safety. Our communities need and deserve better," said Biden.