At least 4 people were killed in a shooting at teen's birthday party in Alabama

April 16th, 2023

Investigators work at the site of a fatal shooting in downtown Dadeville, Ala., on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Several were killed during a shooting at a birthday party Saturday night, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

At least four people were killed and multiple others were wounded after a shooting at a birthday party on Saturday night in the city of Dadeville, Ala.

The attack took place just after 10:30 p.m. local time near the town square as people gathered to celebrate a teenager’s birthday, according to Heidi Smith, the marketing director of Ivy Creek Healthcare, which runs a hospital in Dadeville. Smith said the hospital treated at least 15 gunshot victims.

Smith said at least 17 ambulances responded to the scene. Some victims were treated and released from the Lake Martin Community Hospital, while several additional victims were transferred to other hospitals — including flown to a trauma center in Birmingham, she added.

There were “multiple injuries,” according to a statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which said it had launched an investigation at the request of the Dadeville police chief.

Dadeville is a small city with a population of approximately 3,000 people. It’s located about an hour’s drive from the state capital of Montgomery.

Gov. Kay Ivey tweeted on Sunday that she was grieving the events in Dadeville, but did not provide further detail on what transpired.

“This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians. Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge,” Ivey said.

This story will be updated. NPR’s Amy Held contributed reporting.