Mass shooting in Alabama kills 4, injuries multiple others


A mass shooting in Dadeville, Alabama, on Saturday night killed at least four people and injured multiple others, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said.
The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. local time, according to ALEA. While details are still emerging, WRBL-TV reported that the shooting happened at a local dance studio. Witnesses told WRBL they heard screaming and multiple gunshots coming from inside the building, and the news station reported that more than 20 people had been shot, with varying degrees of injury.
No information about a suspect has been released. However, police assured residents that there was no ongoing threat to the community.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The dance hall was hosting a 16-year-old's birthday party at the time of the attack, and as a result, many of the victims were reportedly teenagers. One of the deceased was identified by the Montgomery Advertiser as high school senior Phil Dowdell, the brother of the birthday girl. His grandmother, Annette Allen, told the Advertiser Dowdell was "a very, very humble child. Never messed with anybody. Always had a smile on his face."
Dadeville, located about 55 miles northeast of Montgomery, Alabama, has a population of just 3,200 people, and is described as a tight-knit community. Violent crime in the town is extremely rare, The Associated Press reported.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) wrote on Twitter, "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."
There have been 163 mass shootings in the United States in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Just last week, a mass shooting at a bank in Lousiville, Kentucky, left five dead and eight injured.
This is a breaking news story that has been updated with additional information.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Sail in style onboard the brand-new Explora II
The Week Recommends Hit the high seas on a luxury cruise from Barcelona to Rome
-
Is the EU funding Russia more than Ukraine?
The Explainer EU remains largest importer of Russian fossil fuels despite sanctions aimed at crippling Kremlin's war effort
-
Posh crisps: an 'elite' tier of snacking
The Week Recommends Hand-cooked and dusted in 'decadent' flavours, the humble potato chip is being elevated to new levels
-
Driver rams van into crowd at Liverpool FC parade
speed read 27 people were hospitalized following the attack
-
2 Israel Embassy staff shot dead at DC Jewish museum
speed read The suspected gunman chanted 'free, free Palestine'
-
Bombing of fertility clinic blamed on 'antinatalist'
speed read A car bombing injured four people and damaged a fertility clinic and nearby buildings in Palm Springs, California
-
Suspect charged after 11 die in Vancouver car attack
Speed Read Kai-Ji Adam Lo drove an SUV into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day festival
-
Kenya arrests alleged ant smugglers
speed read Two young Belgians have been charged for attempting to smuggle ants out of the country to exotic pet buyers
-
Judge ends Eric Adams case, Trump leverage
Speed Read Federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams were dismissed, as requested by Trump's Justice Department
-
Texas arrests midwife on felony abortion charges
Speed Read Maria Margarita Rojas and an employee at one of her clinics are the first to be criminally charged under Texas' near-total abortion ban
-
South Carolina to execute prisoner by firing squad
speed read Death row inmate Brad Sigmon prefers the squad over the electric chair or lethal injection, his lawyer said