Dadeville birthday party mass shooting: 4 dead, 20 reportedly injured

Four people are dead and as many as 20 reportedly injured following a shooting at a birthday party in Dadeville Saturday night, according to multiple reports.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported that at 11:45 p.m. Saturday special agents launched an investigation at the request of the Dadeville police chief.

The shooting occurred at approximately 10:34 p.m. near the 200 Block of Broadnax Street in Dadeville.

“Currently, there have been four confirmed fatalities and multiple injuries,” an ALEA press release stated. “Nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing.”

The county coroner declined to comment when reached by AL.com this morning.

The Alexander City Outlook is reporting the shooting happened at Mahogany’s Masterpiece dance studio, in a converted bank, on North Broadnax Street in Dadeville, a town of about 3,000 in Tallapoosa County.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is handling the investigation but has not yet released any details. Crime scene tape flapped in the wind outside the venue this morning as people waited for more details.

WRBL of Columbus, Ga., reported more than 20 people were shot and transported to local hospitals, citing law enforcement sources.

The gathering was a Sweet 16 Birthday celebration, and most of those injured are teenagers. Tallapoosa County Superintendent confirmed that some local students were at the party but said he had no additional information he could give as of Sunday morning.

“This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a tweet. “Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge.”

“We’re in shock. We’re doing our best to cope with it. We’re just trying to make do,” Dadeville Mayor Jimmy “Frank” Goodman told AL.com this morning, declining to give specifics.

Ben Hayes, a Dadeville pastor, posted on Facebook that he “stood outside of Lake Martin Hospital until 3 a.m. watching hearts break as families learned that their child had been shot – or even worse, dead.”

“My heart is broken today,” Hayes wrote.

“I talked with parents, educators, students. My football players. Our pastors from First Baptist Church. No one knew what to say. Everyone was in shock. Police officers with looks of sadness on their faces. Nothing prepares you for this.”

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth tweeted: “I ask all Alabamians to join me in lifting the Dadeville community toward the the Lord so He may shower everyone who suffered injury and loss with the strength, love, and consolation that only He can provide. ‘Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted’ Matthew 5:4″

Also involved in the investigation are Dadeville police, the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the 5th Circuit District Attorney’s Office.