In a shocking incident late Saturday night, at least 14 people were shot, including a teenage boy and a woman, near an intersection close to downtown Montgomery, Alabama. According to police reports, the violence erupted around 11:31 p.m. at the intersection of Bibbs and Commerce streets, just under a mile west of the Alabama State Capitol building.
Montgomery Police Chief James Graboys held a news conference on Sunday to provide updates on the ongoing investigation. He confirmed that at least five of the shooting victims are currently hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Alarmingly, seven of the individuals impacted by the gunfire are under the age of 17, with the youngest victim being just 16 years old.
The identities of the two individuals who tragically lost their lives have been confirmed as 17-year-old Jeremiah Morris and 43-year-old Sholanda Williams. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed commented on the situation, stating that the shooting stemmed from a disagreement that "could have been avoided," although he refrained from providing further details.
In an effort to encourage community involvement, Mayor Reed announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible for this heinous act. Chief Graboys explained that preliminary investigations suggest the gunfire began when an individual targeted in the incident returned fire. Subsequently, multiple people in the crowd also drew weapons and joined in the shooting.
It was noted that at least two of the victims were armed at the time of the incident. Currently, no arrests have been made, but detectives are actively interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage to identify potential suspects.
The Montgomery police have urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators immediately. This incident has sent shockwaves through the community, and authorities are working diligently to ensure justice is served and to prevent further violence.
As investigations continue, the Montgomery community remains on edge, hoping for swift action and answers regarding this tragic event.
