Judge denies bond for Dadeville shooting suspects
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
As the process continues to gradually unfold, there have been some updates regarding the April 15 Dadeville shooting since last week’s report.
In a Wednesday evening update, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported that Tallapoosa County District Court Judge Clayton Taylor has denied bond for five of the six suspects arrested in connection with the Dadeville shooting.
That came about following the Aniah’s Law hearing held Tuesday in Tallapoosa County. The following day Taylor issues a decision denying bond for five of the individuals arrested. Subsequently, all five individuals will remain in custody. The sixth individual, a 15-year-old juvenile from Tuskegee, is currently awaiting another hearing.
Those who were denied bond were 20-year-old Wilson LaMar Hill Jr. of Auburn, 20-year-old Johnny Letron Brown of Tuskegee, 19-year-old Willie George Brown Jr. of Auburn, 17-year-old Tyreese “Ty Reik” McCullough of Tuskegee, and 16-year-old Travis McCullough of Tuskegee.
The 15-year-old suspect was reportedly also denied bond in a separate hearing since he is a minor. It has also been reported that the district attorney’s office said that the state intends to file a motion to transfer the juvenile to be tried as an adult.
The juvenile court will have a hearing to determine whether he will be transferred and tried as an adult. If transferred, all six suspects ranging in age from 15 to 20 would then be treated as adults.
All six suspects have been charged with four counts of reckless murder each in connection with the Dadeville shooting that left four dead and 32 injured, including 15 who were hit by gunfire, according to reports from a hospital spokesperson.
Those killed were Marsiah Collins, Phil Dowdell, Shaunkivia Smith, and Corbin Holston.
During Tuesday’s bond hearing Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Special Agent Jess Thornton testified that 89 shell casings were found at the scene of the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio. He said that the crime scene was like nothing he had encountered in his 18 years with ALEA.
According to reports, Thornton said investigators believe seven handguns were used during the shooting and that at least one may have been altered with an illegal “switch” to make it fire more rapidly. He further stated that witnesses said it sounded like a machine gun being fired.
Investigators have so far not discussed a motive for the shooting or what they believe led to the shooting.
During the hearing Thornton said that the six defendants are relatives or friends. It was also reported that they were not invited to the party, but had traveled from Auburn and Tuskegee to attend it.
Thornton further said five of the six defendants admitted to being at the Sweet 16 birthday party and firing guns. He added that the sixth defendant did not admit to being there, but that the co-defendants said he was there and fired a gun.
Thornton also mentioned that at least five of the six suspects met after the party at a parking lot in a nearby city.
During Tuesday’s hearing, George Bulls, a lawyer for Willie Brown, suggested that one of the victims killed in the shooting had fired the first shot, asking Thornton if there were some statements about one of the deceased starting the shooting. Thornton reportedly said that was true.
Thornton further testified that 23-year-old Corbin Holston of Dadeville was found with a 40-caliber gun sitting on his chest, but said the position of the firearm, which had been fired, struck him as odd. He added that it looked almost like the gun was placed there.
Spending approximately an hour testifying at Tuesday’s hearing, Thornton also said there were about 50 to 60 people crammed in the party venue, which measured about 38 feet by 26 feet, when the shooting began.
The hearing for the Browns and Hill was open to the public, while the McCulloughs’ hearing was closed, according to reports.
Authorities have not yet said what connection, if any, the suspects had to the birthday party or the party attendees.
