Alabama Family members of the deceased and government representatives voiced hope that investigators may be getting close to making an arrest as well as dissatisfaction over the police’s quiet on the case three days after gunshots at a Sweet 16 birthday party left four teenagers dead and 32 others injured, some gravely.
Tuesday night’s announcement by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency that the FBI, local police, and other law enforcement agencies will hold a news conference the following morning to discuss the case raised hopes for a potential breakthrough.
The incidents Dadeville, a little town approximately 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Birmingham, was shaken on Saturday night, and families suddenly found themselves organizing funerals and memorial services rather than proms or college move-ins.
The family of one of the teens murdered in the shooting has been briefed by authorities, according to a relative who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday. The family is aware that the investigation is moving forward.
Amy Jackson, whose cousin KeKe Smith was one of the victims, said, “They are working very hard and are adamant about apprehending those who are responsible for the tragic event.”
Mayor of Dadeville Frank Goodman announced on Tuesday that police had opened a new command post behind a church, however it was unclear at the time whether this had anything to do with the shooting. He added that many people have expressed frustration at the police’s lack of communication over the status of the probe.
