At least 89 shots fired at deadly Sweet 16 birthday bash in Alabama
At least 89 shots were fired during the shooting at an Alabama Sweet Sixteen party that left four people dead and dozens more wounded, an investigator revealed Tuesday.
Special agent Jess Thornton recounted the horrifying scene during a court hearing to determine if the three adults charged in the brazen April 15 carnage should be held in jail without bail.
Thornton testified 89 bullet casings were found at the birthday party – crammed with 50 to 60 people – that took place at a dance studio just off the town square in Dadeville earlier this month.
“Multiple shell casings,” he said in court. “Blood everywhere.”
He added the crime scene was something he’s never seen in his 18 years with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Thornton said at least seven guns have been tied to the shooting, WBMA reported.
At least one of the handguns were altered for rapid firing, he said.
“Witnesses said it sounded like a machine gun,” Thornton said.
The three adults charged in the killings are Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn; Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee; and Willie George Brown Jr., 19, also of Auburn.
Flowers and balloons sit piled outside the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio on April 19, 2023, in Dadeville, Ala. AP
A bullet hole is visible in the glass transom over the door at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in Dadeville, Ala., on April 16, 2023. AP
A motive has not been revealed by authorities, but an attorney for Willie Brown got Thornton to acknowledge that some statements alleged one of the slain partygoers, Corbin Holston, started the shooting.
Thornton testified that Holston was found with a 40-caliber gun sitting on his chest.
But he noted the position of the gun, which was fired, seems “almost like it was placed there.”
Fire crews clean the sidewalk following the mass shooting at Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in Dadeville, Ala. AP
Law enforcement investigates the mass shooting at Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in Dadeville, Ala. AP
Willie George Brown Jr. (left) and Johnny Letron Brown’s (right) mugshots are shown. AP
Before the shooting, an announcement blared telling people with guns to leave the venue when a speaker fell over and a person lifted their shirt to flash a gun, Thornton said.
He didn’t say if that person was one of the defendants.
The judge did not issue an immediate ruling Tuesday.
All the defendants have been charged with reckless murder.
Thornton said they are all relatives or friends and while not invited to the party, traveled from other parts of the state to attend.
Wilson LaMar Hill Jr.’s mugshot is provided by the Tallapoosa Co. Sheriffs Department. AP
Separate hearings were held for juvenile suspects Travis McCullough, 16, of Tuskegee, and Tyreese McCullough, 17, of Tuskegee, WBMA reported.
A sixth suspect, 15, has not been publicly identified.
The four victims fatally shot were Dadeville High School seniors Phil Dowdell, 18, and Shaunkivia Nicole “KeKe” Smith, 17, as well as 19-year-old Marsiah Emmanuel “Siah” Collins and Holston, who was 23.
Source: New York Post
