Another week and another mass shooting in a country that sends thoughts and prayers instead of taking action to combat an issue to seems to get worse every year.
A high-school football star and honor student set to graduate and play ball in college was among four people killed at a “Sweet 16” party for his little sister in Alabama on Saturday.
Phil Dowdell, who recently committed to playing wide receiver at Jacksonville State University, was identified as a victim in that shooting. He one of the best players in the state, a coach told AL.com on Sunday.
“He was the No. 1 athlete in the school,’’ said Michael Taylor, an assistant football, basketball, and track coach at Dadeville High.
“The first thing we’ve got to do is we’ve got to pray our way out of this,” Taylor said. “There ain’t no other way. … They’re all real close, like family, at the high school.”
The tragic high-school senior saw his life come to an end at the celebration for his sibling Alexis.
His grandmother, Annette Allen, told The Montgomery Advertiser. “He was a very, very humble child. Never messed with anybody. Always had a smile on his face,” Allen said, noting her grandson’s “a million-dollar smile.”
Allen told the newspaper multiple teens were shot at the party, as well as Dowdell’s mother, who sustained two gunshot wounds. “Everybody’s grieving,” Allen said.
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The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has confirmed “four fatalities” and “multiple injuries” after gunfire erupted. The shooting reportedly happened at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio. Officials have not confirmed the number of surviving victims, though reports say the amount is more than 20.
Allen said many parents are going from hospital to hospital looking for their children.
A week ago, Dowdell posted on Facebook, “every day my life go up & up, it’s hard for me to get mad.”
That same day, he would share photos of himself and his senior prom date.
The 5-foot-10, 162-pound Dowdell was a first-team All-State defensive back for Dadeville High School football team last fall. He helped the Tigers to a 10-1 record.
