Lauren Dube

CM105-01
Hard News Story
Professor Servatius

Two Teens Face Murder Charges for Sweet 16 Massacre

DADEVILLE, Alabama. April 19, 2023 - Two Alabama teens have been arrested last night and
face murder charges in connection with a deadly Sweet 16 birthday party shooting in Dadeville,
Alabama that left four dead and 32 injurned.

Ty Reik McCollough, 17, and Travis McCollough, 16, who are both from Tuskegee, were
arrested and each face four counts of reckless murder, according to Sgt. Jeremy Burkett with the
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Gunfire erupted around 10:34 p.m. at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio, located in the 200
Block of Broadnax Street in Dadeville. The birthday was for Alexis Dowdell. Witnesses have
said that a couple people began shooting after Dowdell’s mom paused the celebration to ask
people with guns to leave.

The massacre occurred Saturday night, where four people suffered fatal injuries and 32 others
were hurt, including at least 15 teenagers who suffered gunshot wounds. There are four victims
still in critical condition.

One of the victims is said to be the birthday girl’s brother, Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, who
reportedly died in his sister’s arms. Dowdell pad plans to play football at Jacksonville state this
fall.

The other victims include Dadeville High senior Shaunkivia Nicole “KeKe” Smith, 17, an
athlete-turned-team manager; 2022 Opelika High School graduate Marsiah Emmanuel “Siah”
Collins, 19, an aspiring singer who planned to start college in the fall; and 2018 Dadeville High
raduate Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, another former athlete at the school.

Given the injuries of some of the victims, there will be more charges to follow, and both suspects
will be charged as adults. A bond hearing musy be held by Friday, according to Alabama law,
and the prosecuters have stated they will be asking the two teens to be held without bail.

More information will follow as the investigation continues.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/19/us/dadeville-alabama-birthday-party-shooting-wednesday/
index.html
https://www.foxnews.com/us/two-teens-charged-dadeville-alabama-mass-shooting-sweet-16-
birthday-party