MONTGOMERY — In the wake of Saturday night’s deadly mass shooting in Montgomery, Gov. Kay Ivey is increasing the presence of law enforcement in the capital city’s downtown area.
“All available state assets are being discussed, and all options remain on the table,” she said in a statement today.
No one has been arrested as of this morning in the shootings that left two dead and a dozen wounded.
The dead included a 43-year-old woman, identified by police as Shalanda Williams, and a 17-year-old identified as Jeremiah Morris, The Associated Press reported. Five of the wounded were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, including a juvenile, Montgomery police said.
Police are asking the public’s help in the incident that involved people shooting in a crowd just after the Tuskegee University-Morehouse College football game at the Cramton Bowl, a short distance from downtown.
“Alabamians lost their lives at the hands of thugs in downtown Montgomery this weekend,” Ivey said. “First and foremost, we pray for the loved ones of those lives taken from us, as well as those innocent people injured, including some still fighting for their lives.
“With Montgomery Police Department officers a short distance away, shots were exchanged out over a crowded downtown Saturday night. This simply should not be happening in our Capital City or anywhere in our state for that matter. Any and all involved must be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that happens.”
Ivey said the state will increase its efforts beyond deploying the Metro Area Crime Supression Unit and new legislation.
“We — the state — have previously and continue to take steps to target the crime in Montgomery, which has ranged from us deploying our MACS Unit to passing new laws,” she said. “Unfortunately, you can’t fix stupid. It is clear that to have a safe Montgomery, it is going to take more than these steps.”
The governor said she asked Hal Taylor, secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, to extend area coverage of Capitol State Troopers to “key downtown areas” and will seek additional resources from the Legislature.
She also said there may be restrictions on alcohol sales in the Capital City.
“I am also asking my ABC Administrator Curtis Stewart to review our laws, expectations and requirements regarding entities who are licensed to sell alcohol – specifically those in highly populated and heavily traveled areas, as well as for special events, where the sale and consumption of alcohol is taking place after 5 p.m. within the city of Montgomery,” Ivey said. “Let me be clear: All available state assets are being discussed, and ALL options remain on the table. Montgomery is a special place filled with history, great potential and a strong community of people.
“There is too much at stake here, and as a longtime resident of Montgomery myself, I cannot stand by and allow this to continue.”
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