On Monday morning, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced a tougher state-led posture to restore order in Montgomery after a downtown mass shooting on Saturday night left two dead and a dozen wounded.
Ivey said Alabama has already taken steps, from deploying the Montgomery Area Crime Suppression Unit to passing new state laws to enhance public safety. But the latest shooting proves more forceful measures are needed.
Governor Ivey’s full statement:
“Alabamians lost their lives at the hands of thugs in downtown Montgomery this weekend. 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 Montgomery 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.
“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. Unfortunately, you can’t fix stupid. It is clear that to have a safe Montgomery, it is going to take more than these steps.
“Over the last day, I have had continued discussions on what more can be done. That discussion continues and a resolution will not happen overnight, but we will be taking a few additional immediate steps.
“Ensuring safe communities is the number one priority for government at all levels — local, state and federal. And unfortunately, I still feel the need for the state to further intervene in Montgomery and to have an even greater role in leading public safety efforts in our Capital City.
“With that said, we are beginning to take additional steps from the state level to deter crime in Montgomery. To start, in addition to our active MACS Unit, I have asked my ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor to extend the patrol area for our Capitol Troopers to include other key downtown areas. I will plan on asking the Legislature to support additional resources to allow our state law enforcement presence to be more effective in downtown Montgomery. We will also continue to discuss how we can work better with Montgomery city and county law enforcement to ensure zero tolerance for crime in Montgomery.
“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 5:00 p.m. within the city of Montgomery.
“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.”
Saturday night’s gun battle erupted in the heart of the entertainment district, killing Jeremiah Morris, 17, and Shalanda Williams, 43, and injuring 12 more, five critically, in a packed downtown corridor frequented by families, visitors, and state business travelers.
The crime scene is vectored by hotels, venues, and restaurants that anchor Montgomery’s tourism and conference economy.
Other state leaders are reacting to the shooting. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall also said all options are on the table.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
