A night of celebration turned to tragedy in downtown Montgomery after a mass shooting left 14 people shot, including two fatalities, late Saturday night.
The shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, near Commerce and Bibb Streets, an area that had been bustling with visitors attending major weekend events, including the Alabama National Fair, the Morehouse–Tuskegee Classic, and Alabama State University’s homecoming game against Bethune-Cookman University.
According to the Montgomery Police Department, 17-year-old Jeremiah Morris and 43-year-old Shalonda Morris were killed in the shooting. Of the remaining victims, five sustained life-threatening injuries, while seven others suffered non-life-threatening wounds. Police confirmed that at least seven of the victims were under the age of 20, with the youngest being just 16 years old.
Montgomery Police Chief Darrell Graboys stated that the shooting began when two groups opened fire on one another in the middle of a crowded area, prompting others nearby to pull out weapons as well. Multiple shell casings and several firearms were recovered at the scene, including guns found on at least two of the victims.
“This was a chaotic and tragic scene in the heart of our city,” Chief Graboys said. “We are working around the clock with our local, state, and federal partners to identify everyone involved and bring justice to the victims and their families.”
The investigation involves several agencies, including the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Montgomery Fire-Rescue, FBI, ATF, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to arrests in the case.
