Report: 89 shell casings found, 7 guns believed used in deadly Alabama mass shooting

By Nick Valencia, Alta Spells and Chris Youd, CNN

State investigators found 89 shell casings and believe seven guns were used at a dance studio shooting that left four people dead during a Sweet 16 party in Dadeville, Alabama, earlier this month, according to a report from CNN affiliate WBMA.

The new details came Tuesday during testimony from an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency special agent at a bail hearing for several shooting suspects, according to WBMA.

The six suspects charged in connection with the massacre were denied bond, according to the district attorney’s office of the 5th Judicial Circuit of Alabama.

Five of the suspects were ordered to be held without bond until the trial and are being treated as adults, a news release from the office said. A sixth suspect, who is 15, was also denied bond at a separate hearing because he is a minor, according to a separate release.

Another new detail came to light as the investigator testified one of the deceased victims may have fired first, according to CNN affiliates WTVM and WFSA.

Corbin Holston, 23, was found dead inside the dance studio with a gun on his chest, the investigator reportedly told the court.

The party for 16-year-old Alexis Dowdell was in full swing when gunfire erupted, witnesses said. Alexis’ 18-year-old brother, Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, was killed, along with Marsiah Emmanuel Collins, 19; Shaunkivia “Keke” Nicole Smith, 17; and Holston, the Tallapoosa County coroner said.

The state investigator testified that as many as 60 people were inside the dance studio at the time of the shooting, WTVM And WFSA reported.

Tyreese “Ty Reik” McCullough, 17, Travis McCullough, 16, Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, Johnny Letron Brown, 20, Willie George Brown Jr., 19, and the unnamed 15-year-old have all been charged with four counts of reckless murder for their alleged involvement in the April 15 shooting that killed the four people and injured 32 others, including 15 who a hospital spokesperson said were hit by gunfire.

“The State intends to file a motion to transfer that juvenile to be tried as an adult,” the DA’s office said. “The Juvenile Court will have a hearing to determine whether or not he will be transferred and tried as an adult.”

Defense lawyers disheartened by bail decision

Defense attorneys for two suspects told CNN on Thursday they are disappointed their clients were denied bail and reiterated that their clients deserve due process.

Attorney George Bulls II, who represents Willie George Brown Jr., said the teenager had a “spotless record prior to this.”

“The sole evidence produced by the state at Tuesday’s bond hearing only shows my client’s possible involvement from his codefendant’s statements, which we have yet to receive and must be independently corroborated,” Bulls II said.

Anna Parker, an attorney for Hill, said she was disheartened by the bail decision.

“At this time, we are arduously reviewing our options and will be fighting against this decision to secure Mr. Hill’s release in the coming weeks,” Parker told CNN. “This case is clearly complex, and the road ahead will be long and difficult for everyone involved.”

Johnny Letron Brown’s attorney, David Dawson, told CNN he had no comment.

CNN has reached out to attorneys for the McCulloughs but not heard back.

Law enforcement has not commented on motive

Tuesday’s hearing for the Browns and Hill was open to the public, while the McCulloughs’ session was closed, according to the three affiliates, which said the sixth suspect was not in court.

Authorities have not said what connection, if any, the suspects had to Alexis’ birthday party.

CNN has reached out to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency for comment.

Authorities have not publicly discussed a motive in the killings that stunned the small Alabama city and joined it to a slew of other American communities grieving gun violence this year. The shooting is one of more than 173 mass shootings — in which four or more people were shot, excluding the shooter — reported in the US so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

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CNN’s Isabel Rosales, Holly Yan and Elizabeth Wolfe contributed to this report.