Alabama shooting: 4th arrest made after 4 killed during Sweet 16 party

DADEVILLE, Alabama — Authorities on Thursday arrested a fourth person on murder charges after a shooting claimed four lives and left 32 others injured at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville.

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Special agents with Alabama’s State Bureau of Investigation arrested 20-year-old Johnny Letron Brown, of Tuskegee, on four counts of reckless murder.

“A total of 4 arrests have now been made after a complex and thorough investigation was conducted with assistance from a multitude of law enforcement agencies following the shooting that occurred on Saturday,” the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said in a statement posted on social media.

Authorities did not immediately elaborate on the circumstances leading to the arrest. On Wednesday, ALEA Sgt. Jeremy Burkett said investigators were being careful about what they shared publicly as they continue to investigate.

“There is a tremendous amount of work to do. We’re going to be careful with everything we say and everything we do,” he said. “We’re going to stay focused on the victims and their families.”

Earlier, officials announced that 20-year-old Wilson LaMarr Hill Jr., of Auburn; 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough, of Tuskegee; and 16-year-old Travis McCullough, also of Tuskegee; were facing murder charges in connection with the shooting. Mike Segrest, district attorney for Alabama’s fifth circuit, said they will face more charges related to the injuries reported Saturday. The teenage suspects will also be charged as adults, he added.

Police said gunfire erupted just after 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in downtown Dadeville, where friends and family had gathered to celebrate Alexis “Lexi” Dowdell’s 16th birthday. Four people died in the shooting, including Dowdell’s 18-year-old brother.

Authorities identified the slain victims as Shaunkivia Nicole “KeKe” Smith, 17; Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, 18; Marsiah Emmanuel “Siah” Collins, 19; and Corbin Dehmontrey Holston, 23.