🕯️ In Loving Memory — Dadeville, April 15, 2023
Today, we pause in quiet remembrance.
We honor the lives forever changed, the families who carry their light, and the strength that continues to hold our town together.
May this Day remind us to lead with compassion, to listen deeply, and to keep love at the center of our community.
Even in the darkest hours, Dadeville’s light endures.
Four young people lost their lives that night:
Marsiah Emmanuel Collins, 19
Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, 18
Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23
Shaunkivia Nicole “KeKe” Smith, 17
Thirty-two others were injured, many of them teenagers. The tragedy deeply affected families, classmates, and the broader Tallapoosa County community.
#DADEVILLESTRONG
The Dadeville Mass Shooting: What Happened and Its Impact on the Community
On April 15, 2023, the small city of Dadeville, Alabama, was shaken by a tragic mass shooting that occurred during a Sweet 16 birthday celebration at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio, a former bank building on North Broadnax Street. The gunfire began around 10:34 p.m., abruptly ending what should have been a joyful gathering of local teens and families.
According to witness accounts, rumors circulated during the party that someone present had a gun. Adults attempted to intervene, turning on the lights and asking anyone armed to leave. Minutes later, shots were fired inside the crowded venue. Investigators later recovered 89 handgun shell casings at the scene.
COMMUNITY
- In the days following the shooting, Dadeville came together in grief and solidarity. Vigils were held, flags were lowered to half‑staff, and local schools provided counselors to help students cope with the trauma. The event drew national attention and renewed conversations about youth violence and community safety.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Six individuals were charged in connection with the shooting. Five of them—Willie Brown, Wilson Hill Jr., Travis McCullough, Tyreese McCullough, and Sherman Peters—later pleaded guilty to multiple counts of reckless murder and assault. Each received a sentence of five years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised probation as part of a plea agreement. A sixth defendant was granted youthful offender status.
The plea deals sparked mixed reactions. Some family members expressed disappointment, feeling the sentences did not reflect the severity of the crime, while prosecutors emphasized the challenges of securing convictions in a complex case involving multiple shooters and conflicting evidence.
A Lasting Impact
The Dadeville mass shooting remains one of the most devastating events in the county’s recent history. It highlighted the vulnerability of small communities to sudden acts of violence and underscored the importance of continued efforts to support youth, strengthen community ties, and promote safety.
As Dadeville continues to heal, the memories of the young lives lost serve as a reminder of the importance of unity, compassion, and vigilance in protecting one another.
