Authorities have released the names of two more victims who died when gunfire erupted at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Alabama over the weekend.
Tallapoosa County Coroner Mike Knox on Monday officially identified the four people killed in the Saturday-night shooting at Mahogany’s Masterpiece dance studio, a converted bank building. The gunfire also left 28 others wounded with injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Friends and family had previously identified two of the victims as Philstavious Dowdell, 18, and Shaunkivia Nicole “Keke” Smith, 17, both seniors at Dadeville High School. The party was for Dowdell’s sister.
Knox identified the two remaining victims as Marsiah Emmanuel “Siah” Collins, 19, and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, of Dadeville.
Collins was a defensive end on Opelika High Schools 2021 football team and was pursuing a music career.
Holston graduated from Dadeville High School in 2018, according to social media posts.
This morning, in the small community of about 3,000 people, grief counselors will be on hand at Dadeville High School, where at least two of the victims were among the school’s 485 students.
“It is an unreal tragedy,” Dadeville High Principal Chris Hand said. “I am so devastated right now. We have a really good school and these were great students.”
ALEA Senior Trooper Jeremy Burkett told news media gathered at the Tallapoosa County Courthouse that the injured had a “wide variety of injuries” ranging from superficial to critical.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:34 p.m. at the event venue near the 200 Block of Broadnax Street in Dadeville.
As of Monday morning, few details about what led to the deadly gunfire had been released.
ALEA has not released any information about suspects, motives, or whether anyone is in custody. ALEA has asked for anyone with information to call 800-392-8011 or email [email protected].
Those with information may also contact the 5th Circuit District Attorney’s Office concerning the incident or to provide information to the individuals or families concerning victim services at www.5thcircuitda.org/dadeville.
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