Tragedy Strikes: High School Star Slain at Alabama Party Shooting

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Saturday night, a high school senior was killed along with three other people at his sister’s 16th birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama. Some people were also injured. Police are now investigating to find out why this happened. So far, they have not announced whether someone has been arrested for the shooting or found out what might have caused it.

Phil Dowdell, a senior in Dadeville High School and someone who had committed to go to Jacksonville State University, was celebrating at his sister’s party when he got shot and killed. His grandmother Annette Allen said Phil was always kind and very humble with a big, bright smile on his face that she called it ‘a million-dollar smile’. Sadly, his mother was injured during the shooting too. Everyone involved is now grieving over his tragic loss.

Sgt. Jeremy Burkett from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency revealed that on Saturday night at 10:30 PM, a shooting occurred that resulted in four deaths and multiple injuries. This event was devastating for the small town of 3,200 people located about 92 kilometers (57 miles) away from Montgomery, Alabama.

Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan L. Floyd took a moment to compose himself before talking at the news conference.

“The situation we’re facing is something nobody should have to experience. I just ask that you be patient with us as we get through this process. We also request your prayers,” he said.

It has been more than 12 hours since the shooting at Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio and detectives were still investigating the scene. The studio was located in a one-story brick building downtown Dadeville. City and county officials were gathered around the Tallapoosa County Courthouse, which was less than a block away from the studio. To honor those affected by the shooting, flags outside the courthouse were lowered to half staff.

Mayor Frank Goodman of Dadeville said he was fast asleep when one of the members from the council called him at nearly 11 p.m. on Saturday night. He immediately went to Lake Martin Community Hospital, which had some people who were hurt by gunshots.

Goodman described the situation as chaotic. Everyone was screaming and rushing around while police cars and ambulances were everywhere. People were desperately trying to contact their loved ones. Never before had the city experienced something like this.

Pastor Ben Hayes, chaplain of the Dadeville Police Department and the high school football team, said many of the people involved were teenagers. Dowdell was close to finishing school and had a bright future ahead, Pastor Hayes told Big Big News.

Hayes described him as a powerful athlete on the field, whom nobody wanted to tackle or be tackled by. Off the field, however, he was very nice and respectful, so much so that his peers held him in high regard.

When news of this tragedy spread on Saturday night, Hayes said lots of worried parents showed up at the hospital asking about their children’s condition. He added that these kinds of serious crimes are not often seen in Dadeville, leaving everyone stunned and traumatized.

Jacksonville State football coach Rich Rodriguez said in a statement that he and his staff are really sad and feel sorry for the family of Philstavious Dowdell, who was one of the victims of a bad incident the night before. He said that Philstavious was a great person with a bright future. Lastly, Coach Rodriguez wanted everybody to help out his family during this tough time.

Recently, Philstavious had also won medals at a high school track meet at Troy University.

Monday, Raymond C. Porter, the school superintendent in Tallapoosa County schools, said that students can access counseling services there. In a statement published on social media, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey commented that her heart goes out to people living in Dadeville and all other Alabamians. Additionally, she also declared her opposition against violent crime occurring in the state.

President Joe Biden has found out about the shooting and is making sure to keep a close eye on it. The White House has been talking with local authorities for help and support.

Joe Biden said that it’s not right when kids have to be scared at a birthday party, or when their parents are worried every time they leave the house. He also said that guns are very dangerous and the number of kids being harmed by them is getting bigger.

President Biden asked Congress to do a few things to help prevent gun violence. This includes making sure guns are safely stored, needing special permission to use a gun, taking away protection from people who make guns and not allowing certain types of weapons or large magazines.

The mayor talked about the young man hurt in the shooting. He said he was really nice and then asked God for protection so that the injured people can be with their family.

Nate Goodman said guns and violence don’t happen a lot in Dadeville. He said trying to control guns would not work, just like trying to stop illegal drugs.

This has happened before in Dadeville. In July 2016, five people were hurt during a shooting at the American Legion hall. Later on, someone was charged with five charges of attempted murder because of it. Kim Chandler wrote about this from Huntsville, Alabama.