Alabama mass shooting: 4 confirmed dead, reports of at least 20 injured at teenager's birthday party
Dadeville, Alabama, reels after shooting unfolds at Sweet 16 party
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A mass shooting at a teenager's birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, Saturday evening left at least four dead and reportedly more than 20 injured.
At approximately 11:45 p.m., Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) launched a death investigation at the request of the Dadeville Police Chief, according to a press release obtained by Fox News.
"The investigation is a result of a shooting which occurred at approximately 10:34 p.m. near the 200 Block of Broadnax Street in Dadeville, located in Tallapoosa County. Currently, there have been four confirmed fatalities and multiple injuries," ALEA said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The following agencies responded to the scene and are currently assisting with the investigation: The Dadeville Police Department, Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, the Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the 5 Circuit District Attorney’s Office. Nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing."
TWO INJURED IN SHOOTING AT LINCOLN UNIVERSITY IN PENNSYLVANIA
Local officials gave few details about the incident at their initial press conference besides confirming the shooting unfolded at a birthday party.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"This morning, our nation is once again grieving for at least four Americans tragically killed at a teen’s birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama as well as two others killed last night in a crowded public park in Louisville," President Biden said in a statement on Sunday. "Jill and I are praying for their families, and for the many others injured and fighting for their lives in the wake of this weekend’s gun violence.
"What has our nation come to when children cannot attend a birthday party without fear? When parents have to worry every time their kids walk out the door to school, to the movie theater, or to the park," the president added.
Biden said guns are the leading killer of children in the U.S., calling it "outrageous and unacceptable."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He also said he stands ready to work across the aisle "in good faith" on legislation surrounding gun laws that "will save lives."
Local representatives also weighed in on the tragic incident.
"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," Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, tweeted Sunday morning.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}People line up behind police tape at the scene of a mass shooting in Dadeville, Alabama. (The Alexander City Outlook )
Officials have not revealed the exact number of surviving victims, but a photo taken by a witness showed the bodies of at least six teenagers on the ground, according to BNO News.
According to the outlet, a witness at the scene said the total number of victims was higher than six, including multiple people who died at the scene. The witness observed white sheets covering the bodies.
SHOOTING IN LOUISVILLE LEAVES AT LEAST TWO DEAD, POLICE SAY
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police vehicles at the scene of a mass shooting in Dadeville, Alabama. (The Alexander City Outlook )
A photo posted to Twitter shows multiple families gathered outside a local hospital following the incident.
Susan Foy, the Chief Marketing Director of Russell Medical Center in Alexander City, located about 18 miles from Dadeville, called the incident a "horrific tragedy."
Crime scene tape erected at the scene of a mass shooting in Dadeville, Alabama. (The Alexander City Outlook )
She confirmed to Fox News the hospital treated multiple victims and released them. Several victims with gunshot wounds have had to be transferred to other hospitals to better tend to their specific wounds/injuries. Of the victims treated at the medical center, she had no word on any fatalities. Foy would not get into ages of victims or a specific number. The hospital is a small, rural facility with just 81 beds. It’s not rare to transfer patients to other facilities that have access to more specialists.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A mass shooting at a teenager's birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, Saturday evening left multiple children dead. (Dadeville Police)
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Fox News Digital also has reached out to the Dadeville Police Department and the Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Office for comment.
Officials have not said if any arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Fox News' Sarah Tobianski contributed to this report.