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Phil Dowdell has been identified as one of the victims in Saturday’s mass shooting in Alabama that killed three others.
Phil Dowdell was a high-school football star and honor student set.
He was set to graduate and play ball in college.
Phil Dowdell, who recently committed to playing wide receiver at Jacksonville State University, was one of the best players in the state, a coach told AL.com on Sunday.
“He was the No. 1 athlete in the school,’’ said Michael Taylor, an assistant football, basketball and track coach at Dadeville High.
“The first thing we’ve got to do is we’ve got to pray our way out of this,” Taylor said. “There ain’t no other way. … They’re all real close, like family, at the high school.”
What happened
On Sunday evening, officials confirmed that at least 28 people were hurt.
The mass shooting took place during a teenager’s birthday party that was being hosted at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio.
A graphic video from the scene appeared to show six people lying on the ground – all believed to be teens.
A witness said multiple bodies had been covered in white sheets.
Families of the victims gathered outside a local hospital last night.
The identity, whereabouts, and motive of the suspect are not known – however WRBL reported that a fight of some sort led to the shooting.
Dadeville is a small town of around 3,000 in Tallapoosa County. It is around 44 miles northeast of Montgomery.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said on Twitter on Sunday morning that her office was receiving updates about the shooting.
“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,” she wrote.
