Montgomery Shooting Claims Two Lives
On Saturday night, a tragic incident unfolded in Montgomery when rival gunmen opened fire on a crowded downtown street, resulting in two fatalities and injuring 12 others, according to police reports.
The shooting erupted near Bib & Commerce around 11:30pm, not far from the city’s popular tourist spots and nightlife.
Authorities classified this as a “mass shooting event,” noting that after initially targeting one person, multiple assailants began shooting.
The two deceased victims have been identified as 17-year-old Jeremiah Morris and 43-year-old Shalanda Williams.
Of the 12 individuals injured, five are reportedly in critical condition as of Sunday. The youngest among the victims is only 16 years old, and at least two had firearms, police mentioned. No arrests have been made yet.
Montgomery’s Police Chief, James Gravoys, indicated that the shooting occurred while at least five officers were nearby, which, I suppose, might suggest a gap in immediate response.
The city is offering a $50,000 reward and created a tip line for information. Investigators are also working with state and federal partners, including agencies like ALEA, the FBI, and ATF, to gather video evidence from the area.
Mayor Stephen Reed noted that the city was actively promoting downtown activities during the HBCU Classic weekend, with attractions like temporary Ferris Wheels and a “Thrills Zone” by the river, not to mention the “MGM at Tap Biergarten” event offering free beer on Friday nights.
These efforts aimed to boost the entertainment district, which was already buzzing with events such as the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic and Alabama State University Homecoming, along with the Alabama National Fair.
Reed has pointed to these initiatives as a key component of his administration, claiming that crime rates were on the decline. However, the violence on Saturday shows the ongoing risks facing the city.
Despite the mayor highlighting a reported decrease in crime this year, the overall statistics tell a different story. Montgomery recorded 61 murders in 2024, and by the middle of 2025, the city had already seen 32, compared to 38 in the same timeframe the previous year.
Frustration is brewing among state officials regarding Montgomery’s slow approach to tackling crime. Numerous federal and state representatives, including senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, as well as Governor Will Ainsworth and Attorney General Steve Marshall, have called for decisive action in light of this recent violence.
