The defendant will be tried as an adult and the court will determine whether the hearing will be held in Juvenile Court. Additionally, the defendant, who is under 18 years old, will be held in custody without bond. Furthermore, all five defendants have been verified and detained without bond by Mike Segrest, the District Attorney for the 5th Judicial Circuit. Startling new details surfaced during Tuesday’s bond hearing for three of the six defendants charged in the deadly mass shooting of four people at a Sweet 16 party in Dadeville, which also injured 32 others.
Following the shooting incident, a firearm was discovered resting on Holston’s torso. As per the investigator’s testimony during Tuesday’s hearing, witnesses observed Holston donning a black ski mask and engaging in shooting activities. Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, the 18-year-old brother of Alexis, was tragically killed alongside Marsiah Collins (19), Shaunkivia “Keke” Smith (17), and Corbin Holston (23) when the gunfire erupted at around 10:30 during the April 15 birthday celebration for 16-year-old Alexis Dowdell. Investigators suspect that the rounds were discharged from a total of seven handguns, one of which had been unlawfully altered. A total of 89 shell casings were recovered by agents from the gruesome crime scene, with witnesses testifying that the sound of the gunfire resembled that of automatic weapons, as stated by the lead agent involved in the case.
The individuals identified and apprehended were Willie Brown Jr., 19, from Auburn, Johnny Brown, 20, from Tuskegee; Wilson Hill Jr., 20, from Auburn; Ty Reik McCullough, 17, from Tuskegee; and his sibling Travis McCullough, 16, from Tuskegee. Prosecutors are pursuing charges against them as adults for four counts of reckless murder each. Additionally, a 15-year-old from Tuskegee, whose identity remains undisclosed, has also been taken into custody as the sixth suspect. According to investigators, the co-accused are all acquainted with one another, and some share a familial relationship.
Prior to the trial, three defense lawyers contended that their clients have no prior criminal record and should be granted release on bail. Prosecutors, on the other hand, argued that the defendants should remain incarcerated for the safety of the community and themselves. The McCullough brothers were barred from attending the hearings. Hill, Willie Brown, and Johnny Brown participated in the proceedings, during which journalists were permitted to make written notes using a pen and paper, but cameras were prohibited in the courtroom. Aniah’s Law grants judges the authority to refuse bail to individuals accused of violent offenses.
The dance studio measured about 38 x 26 feet, and investigators suspect there were 50 to 60 people inside the venue at the time of the shooting.
Investigators reported that the gunfire sounded like machine guns, and witnesses testified that at least one of Thornton’s handguns had been modified to sound like automatic guns. Investigators believe that there were at least seven handguns involved, and they recovered 89 shell casings.
Everyone at the party asked the parent if they had guns. Detectives testified that some of them indicated they had guns when a parent got on the microphone and stated that the party would only leave if they were 18 or older. Investigators believe that several people at the party were startled by the loud noise and the music speaker fell inside shortly before the shooting occurred. Agent Thornton testified about the guns they had at the party and the loud noise they caused.
The firearm on Collins had not been discharged. Agent Thornton stated that another pistol was discovered in the waistband of 19-year-old Marsiah Collins, who was fatally shot. Shell casings discovered at the crime scene matched the firearm situated on Holston’s torso. He also stated that witnesses informed detectives that Holston was observed wearing a black ski mask and discharging a weapon during the incident. Thornton asserted that it was uncommon to find a firearm positioned on a victim’s torso in that manner. A pistol was discovered on the chest of 23-year-old Corbin Holston, who was killed in the shooting. Agent Thornton attested that two firearms were retrieved at the scene.
.40 caliber shell casings were discovered at the birthday party, which matched the casings found at the Auburn scene. During a different shooting incident in Auburn, Thornton stated that Brown was a person of interest. Although Willie Brown denied any involvement in the shooting, Agent Thornton’s testimony revealed that five out of the six defendants admitted to being present at the party and firing their weapons. Agent Thornton also testified that after the shooting, at least five or possibly all six defendants gathered at a Tallassee parking lot, which was later shared on social media.
Investigators have not yet disclosed the motive for the murders. Nevertheless, we have come to ascertain that the perpetrators were familiar with people in attendance at the birthday party.