A Sweet 16 celebration in Dadeville, Alabama, on April 15, 2023, ended in mass shooting. Gunfire began about 10:34 p.m., killing 23-year-old Corbin Dahmontrey Holston and three younger attendees — Philstavious Phil Dowdell, 18; Shaunkivia Nicole Keke Smith, 17; and Marsiah Emmanuel Siah Collins, 19 — and wounding 32 others. Investigators later recovered 89 shell casings from at least seven different handguns at the scene.

Holston had gone to the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio after hearing concerns about potential trouble and is reported to have gotten a younger relative to safety before being fatally wounded. During the investigation, officers said a gun was found on Holston’s chest after the shooting. An investigator testified that the shooting may have been touched off when a DJ’s speaker fell and sounded like a gunshot, prompting several people to reveal firearms just before the volley of fire.

In the days afterward, six people were arrested and charged with four counts of reckless murder: brothers Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16; Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20; Johnny Letron Brown, 20; Willie George Brown Jr., 19; and an unnamed 15-year-old. Five of the six admitted to firing weapons during the party. The suspects reportedly were not invited and were unknown to the birthday girl’s family, and investigators described an altercation as a possible motive.

If anyone attended the Mahogany Masterpiece party or has information about what led to the shooting, please share what is known.