Dadeville community shaken after shooting at Sweet 16 birthday party

DADEVILLE, Ala. —

It's been a hard day for the community as a whole in Dadeville. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says four people were shot and 28 others were injured, some critically, at a birthday party on Saturday night.

The small town is trying to find some understanding of everything that's happened. Many bystanders were around as investigators continued to gather evidence and process the crime scene.

"This is tragic," Twyla Russell said, a community member.

She stood nearby and watched as law enforcement folded back the layers of what happened Saturday night.

"It’s just a small city," Russell said. "Right now, we're all broken into pieces."

Those we spoke with say the party was a sweet 16 celebration. Among the dozens standing outside the building was Keenan Cooper, who says he was the DJ for the party. The look on his face was one of shock, sadness, and concern.

"I'm really just distraught for the kids," Cooper said.

The DJ says the room was packed with young people and that the lights were not on. When the shooting started, several people took cover under his table.

The sound of gunfire erupting is something he won't forget.

"It was probably about four or five shooters that I heard but it was dark so you really can’t pinpoint anything," Cooper said.

"We’ve never had anything like this happen in our town," said Mayor Jimmy Frank Goodman.

In the midst of tragedy, the mayor says that his city is experiencing ripples of heartbreak through Dadeville and beyond.

"It’s hurting feeling for the families and the young people lives have been lost, and the ones that are fighting for their lives,” he said.

Dadeville police request ALEA to handle the investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigations, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is involved.

As of right now, a suspect has not been named.