Alabama judge denies bond for suspects in Sweet 16 shooting
Candles with the names of the four young people killed in a shooting and teddy bears dressed in graduation caps sit outside the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Dadeville, Ala.
DADEVILLE, Ala. (AP) — A judge on Wednesday denied bond for five suspects charged with reckless murder in connection with a shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party that killed four people and injured dozens in Alabama, according to court records and state investigators.
Tallapoosa County District Judge Clayton Turner ordered Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn; Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee; and Willie George Brown Jr., 19, also of Auburn, to be held without bond. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said that the judge also denied bond for two juvenile suspects. The state agency previously identified the pair as Tyreese “Ty Reik” McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, both of Tuskegee.
A sixth suspect, a 15-year-old from Tuskegee, is awaiting a hearing, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said.
The six are each charged with four counts of reckless murder in connection with the April 15 shooting in Dadeville that killed four people and injured 32 others. Two Dadeville High School seniors, Phil Dowdell, 18, and Shaunkivia Nicole “KeKe” Smith, 17, were killed. Also killed were Marsiah Emmanuel “Siah” Collins, 19, and Corbin Holston, 23.
During a Tuesday bond hearing, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Special Agent Jess Thornton testified that 89 bullet casings were found at the scene.
Survivors described a bloody and chaotic scene as gunfire erupted at the birthday celebration for Dowdell’s sister. Thornton said investigators believe seven handguns were used during the shooting and that at least one may have been altered with an illegal “switch” to make it fire more rapidly.
Investigators have not discussed a motive or what they believe led to the shooting. How the shooting began and who fired first is expected to a key issue for the defense as the case moves forward.
White House unveils TrumpRx website for medication discounts
Under Trump administration deals to lower drug prices, pharmaceutical companies are offering some of their drugs at discounted prices through a new website called TrumpRx.gov.
Virginia Democrats show map to counter Trump redistricting but its future is unclear
The new map still requires approval from the courts and the voters but, if enacted, it could help Democrats win four more House seats
What to watch at the 2026 Olympics
NPR journalists are at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Join host A Martinez and correspondents Becky Sullivan, Brian Mann, and Rachel Triesman as they talk about what's coming up.
A ‘Jane Doe’ in the R. Kelly trials is ready to share her real name. And her story
A once anonymous R. Kelly survivor, Reshona Landfair is now ready to reclaim her voice.
Alabama seek to bring back death penalty for child rape convictions
Alabama approved legislation Thursday to add rape and sexual torture of a child under 12 to the narrow list of crimes that could draw a death sentence.
What a crowded congressional primary in N.J. says about the state of Democrats
The contest is one of the first congressional primaries of the year where we will find out what issues are currently resonating with some Democratic voters. Here are some key things to know.
