62.9 F
Mobile
57.1 F
Huntsville
59.2 F
Birmingham
47.9 F
Montgomery

Dadeville lawmaker laments tragedy in ‘peaceful town’

On April 15, a shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party in downtown Dadeville left four people dead and more than 30 wounded. 

Six people were arrested in the following days and each were charged with four counts of reckless murder: Johnny Letron Brown, 20; Tyreese “Ty Reik” McCullough, 17; Travis McCullough, 16; Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20; and Willie George Brown Jr., 19.

The aftermath placed Dadeville in the center of national attention while those who call Dadeville home are picking up the pieces. 

Rep. Ed Oliver, a lifelong Dadeville resident, represents the area in the state Legislature. 

“Dadeville is a very peaceful town,” Oliver told Yellowhammer News. “People get along with each other beautifully. 

“My kids are sixth generation in the same house. My house is close enough that you can hear the gunshots from that event. Typically on the square, most every Thursday night spring to fall there’s live music, lots of people milling around having fun – never any danger.”

Oliver said the local police department, Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency turned a complex situation into clarity and will see the process through until justice is exacted.  

“ALEA was there very quickly. Our sheriff worked with ALEA to produce a great investigation,” Oliver said. “Sure enough, they produced six suspects very quickly.”

State investigators said the six defendants are all friends or relatives. They traveled from Tuskegee and Auburn to attend a party they weren’t invited to. investigators said. 

“Six thugs from somewhere else came to Dadeville and they had some beef with somebody there,” Oliver said the investigation showed. 

“15- and 16-year-olds 50 miles away from home at 10:30 at night. What’s wrong with that picture?”  

The six arrested are being charged as adults.

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 legislative session. 

Don’t miss out!  Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.