At least 14 people were injured and two dead after a weekend shooting in downtown Montgomery, police confirmed.
An incident that Montgomery Police Chief James Graboys described as “a mass shooting event” happened about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, near the intersection of Bibb and Commerce streets.
MPD Lt. Tina McGriff said an adult woman was among those killed and that at least two juveniles were injured, one of whom suffered life-threatening injuries.
“In total, three victims remain in life-threatening condition, and nine sustained non-life threatening injuries,” McGriff said.
Police did not provide identities of those who were shot.
“Detectives are actively pursuing leads and reviewing evidence, including witness statements and surveillance footage,” McGriff said. “We are urging anyone with information related to this incident to come forward. Even the smallest detail could be critical to helping investigators identify those responsible.”
People with information can call police at 334-625-2831 or Central Alabama CrimeStoppers at 334-215-7867.
Graboys said state and federal law enforcement agencies were working with MPD on the case.
“This was two parties involved that were basically shooting at each other in the middle of a crowd,” Graboys told WSFA. “People who … opened fire on each other like that did not care about the people around them when they did it. And now we have 14 people who have been shot.”
Police said more updates would be provided at a noon news conference Oct. 5.
The incident happened on a busy night in the city’s tourist district, shortly after a football game between Tuskegee University and Morehouse College. The city debuted a Ferris wheel and other downtown attractions in conjunction with the game.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said those involved opened fire in the crowd while police were patrolling “within 50 feet of both sides” of the scene.
“We’re praying for the victims of this atrocity. We’re praying for their families, their friends. We’re praying for our city,” Reed told WSFA. “Thousands of people have been in the city this weekend, and it only took one or two to change the entire outcome.”
(This story was updated with more information.)
