Montgomery, Ala. — Late Saturday night, a burst of gunfire shattered the calm in downtown Montgomery, leaving two people dead and a dozen others wounded in what police are calling a mass shooting. The violent exchange erupted around 11:30 p.m. in a crowded nightlife area, throwing the streets into chaos and grief.
By early Sunday, law enforcement confirmed two fatalities, one of them a woman, and at least 12 people injured. Three of the wounded were described as being in life-threatening condition. Among those shot were juveniles, adding a painful layer to the shock and sorrow.
Montgomery Police Chief James Graboys said the shooting began when two groups opened fire on each other in the heart of a dense crowd. “They did not care about the people around them when they did it,” he said, his voice heavy with condemnation. He described it as more than a random act of violence — as a reckless confrontation that unfolded without regard to innocent lives.
The night was already busy. The city was hosting multiple events: Alabama State University’s homecoming, the Alabama National Fair, and a football rivalry game between Tuskegee University and Morehouse College. Downtown had been animated by visitors and revelers when tragedy struck.
Witnesses to the chaos told reporters they heard dozens of gunshots in quick succession. Some saw people collapse in the street; others tried to help, huddling behind barriers or pulling the injured to safety. A local business owner, who asked not to be named, recalled that before he even stepped outside his shop, he “just heard a ton of shots,” then saw people running and bodies falling.
Despite the proximity of police units — reportedly within 50 feet of both sides of the confrontation — the gunfire erupted with brutal speed. Chief Graboys said officers had been patrolling nearby, but the sudden escalation left little time to react. As of Sunday morning, no arrests had been made.
Investigators are now combing through surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and examining physical evidence from the scene. Officials say they will pursue every lead and urged anyone with information — even small details — to come forward.
Mayor Steven Reed voiced deep sorrow over what he called an unconscionable act. He noted that thousands had filled the downtown area that night in celebration, only for a handful of perpetrators to turn joy into horror. He promised that the city would use every resource to ensure justice is done.
Families of victims faced an anguished night. Hospitals across Montgomery reported receiving wounded from the shooting; relatives and friends waited anxiously in emergency rooms, hoping for news. In scenes repeated far too often, tears flowed, hands clasped, and whispered prayers filled waiting rooms.
As daylight broke, the block where the shooting happened remained cordoned off. Yellow tape hardened into a boundary between normal life and raw loss. Streetlights flickered, casting long shadows where earlier little lights danced with music and laughter.
This wasn’t just another tragic incident in the news. It was a potent reminder of the fragility of safety. Montgomery now must reckon with grief, questions, and the determination to keep such a night from repeating.
Source: CBS News
