Five people indicted on murder, assault charges in Alabama Sweet 16 shooting

Candles with the names of four people killed in a mass shooting stand with toys and flowers in front of the dance studio where the shooting took place in Dadeville, Ala., on April 19. At least four people were killed and 32 injured at a Sweet 16 birthday party where the shooting took place. (Jemma Stephenson/Alabama Reflector)
Candles with the names of four people killed in a mass shooting stand with toys and flowers in front of the dance studio where the shooting took place in Dadeville, Ala., on April 19. At least four people were killed and 32 injured at a Sweet 16 birthday party where the shooting took place. (Jemma Stephenson/Alabama Reflector)

Five people arrested in connection with the mass shooting at a Sweet 16 party in Dadeville, Alabama, in April have been indicted on murder and assault charges.

The Fifth Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office said in a release Wednesday afternoon that Willie Brown, 20; Johnny Brown, 19; Wilson Hill, 19; an unidentified juvenile, 16; and an unidentified juvenile, 17, were all indicted on four counts of reckless murder, 24 counts of first-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault for a total of 145 counts.

The Fifth Judicial Circuit includes Alabama's Chambers, Macon, Randolph and Tallapoosa counties.

(READ MORE: Alabama police: 89 shots fired into crowded Sweet 16 party)

A 15-year-old was also arrested in April in connection with the shooting. The district attorney's statement did not say if that person had been indicted.

If found guilty, the suspects could face up to 20 years to life in prison for each of the four fatalities and 10-20 year sentences for each of the first-degree assault charges.

A grand jury in Tallapoosa County convened May 22.

(READ MORE: Alabama shooting victim Phil Dowdell was 'all that was right with the world,' mayor says)

The shooting erupted at a dance studio in downtown Dadeville on the night of April 15. Four people — Marsiah Collins, 19; Philstavious "Phil" Dowdell, 18; Corbin Daqhmontrey Holston, 23; and Shaunkiva "KeKe" Smith, 17 — died in the shooting. Another 32 people were reported injured. The Wednesday release said 25 people were shot and survived.

A grand jury determines if there is probable cause for a criminal trial and does not determine guilt or innocence.

Read more at AlabamaReflector.com.

Upcoming Events