Family members claim that one of the four victims of a mass shooting at a 16th birthday party in Alabama died saving his sister’s life.
Phil Dowdell, age 18, shoved Alexis Dowdell to the ground as gunfire erupted during her birthday celebration at a dance studio in Dadeville.
“The last thing I said to him was to stay strong,” Alexis told the BBC.
Saturday night’s attack resulted in the injuries of twenty-eight others.
According to his sister, Phil went to get her when he learned that someone had a weapon.
What we know about the victims of the massacre in Alabama ‘Someone must know’: questions remain in Dadeville
She added that as gunfire erupted, he shoved her to the ground prior to their separation in the pandemonium.
Alexis reported that her dying sibling was unable to speak, despite opening his eyes and raising his eyebrows while she held him in her arms.
Alexis and her mother, LaTonya Allen, stated to the BBC that they were unaware of the cause of the incident.
Ms. Allen stated that her son “in every way” made her proud.
“A piece of my heart is ripped out,” she declared. “He was expected to graduate the following month. Instead of attending graduation, I will visit my son at the cemetery.
The police have not yet identified a suspect or a motive for the shooting in Dadeville, Alabama, a small, close-knit community of approximately 3,000 people.
However, they have urged the public to come forward with information.
The pastor of the city informed the BBC that the gunman was still at large.
Ms. Allen stated that she believed multiple individuals were responsible for the shooting.
Also slain were Shaunkivia Smith, 17, Marsiah Collins, 19, and Corbin Holston, 23.
Ms. Smith, according to her family and acquaintances, was a once-promising athlete who was about to graduate from high school.
Mr Collins played varsity football and aspired to become an attorney. Mr. Holston attended the party to check on a family member after learning that trouble was developing, according to his family.
Before the shooting began, Ms. Allen heard rumours that someone at the gathering was armed.
Therefore, she turned on the lights, approached the DJ, and spoke into the microphone, asking anyone with a weapon to exit the party.
She stated that she switched off the lights when no one spoke up.
Alexis reported that pandemonium ensued in the studio shortly thereafter.
She stated, “All of a sudden, you hear gunshots and see everyone running towards the door while people are falling and screaming.”
Alexis reported that she escaped the dance studio. She said that she hid outside for a while until someone came to assist her, at which point they hid behind another building in case the attacker was still on the loose.
The teen stated that upon returning to the scene, she discovered that her sibling had been shot.
She reported that at that time, her brother had lost a significant amount of blood, and she remained with him as he lapsed in and out of consciousness.
Jimmy Frank Goodman Sr., the mayor of Dadeville, told the BBC that the chaos he observed at the hospital after the shooting was worse than anything he saw during his service in the Vietnam War.
“There were people crying, bodies being transported to the emergency room, and bloodstained clothing on the ground,” he stated.
Phil Dowdell, the eldest of three siblings, was remembered by his community as a star athlete and a loyal companion. He was scheduled to graduate in order to receive an athletics scholarship to Jacksonville State University.
Alexis reported that she relished watching her brother play football and laughing with him. Whenever the two of them argued, he would always open the door for others and enter her room to apologise, she said.
She stated that her birthday would never be the same again.
Outside Dadeville High School, the flags have been lowered to half-staff. On Sunday, a vigil was conducted for all four victims. Hundreds of individuals, including some victims of the shooting, were present.
Casey Davis, an assistant superintendent at the local board of education, stated that the community would have access to clergy and bereavement counsellors.
The Dadeville shooting brings the total number of mass shootings in the United States this year to over 160, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines mass shootings as those in which four or more persons are shot.
