U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville is calling for immediate and decisive action to address violent crime in Montgomery, Alabama, particularly following a downtown mass shooting earlier this month that killed two and injured 12 others.
In a call with in-state reporters last week, Tuberville expressed alarm over the recent violence and the decision to release one of the suspects on bond.
“We are not a third world country. But Montgomery has been turned into a WAR ZONE,” Sen. Tuberville (R-Auburn) captioned the video of his full remarks. “We must take ACTION to keep Alabamians safe.”
“Alabamians deserve to feel safe in our capital city, and right now this is not the case,” Tuberville said. “There were more than 61 homicides in Montgomery last year. Folks, this cannot continue. We’re not going to allow it. We’re going to make downtown Montgomery a safe zone.”
Tuberville said he has spoken with federal officials and anticipates additional support for local law enforcement.
“I’ve talked to FBI Director Kash Patel, and he’s gearing up to send a surge of FBI agents to Montgomery to help law enforcement with crime,” Tuberville told the news outlet.
Yellowhammer News earlier reported that the October 4 shooting turned a bustling downtown entertainment district into a crime scene. Rival gunmen opened fire during a busy weekend of events, leaving two dead and a dozen injured. Victims ranged in age from 16 to 43. The city had activated its downtown area for HBCU Classic weekend, drawing large crowds with free attractions and promotions.
According to Montgomery Police, at least five officers were in the area and responded within seconds. Multiple federal and state agencies — including the ATF, U.S. Marshals, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency — are assisting with the investigation.
Montgomery has struggled with persistently high violent crime rates. The city reported 61 homicides in 2024, and through the first half of 2025, logged 32 homicides compared to 38 during the same period the year before.
Tuberville’s comments also follow the news that one of the suspects in the shooting was released on bond — a move he criticized as undermining public confidence in the justice system.
“We are not a third-world country,” Tuberville said. “But Montgomery has been turned into something that’s just unacceptable for our citizens.”
Tuberville’s remarks underscore his call for additional federal resources and stronger enforcement to help make the capital city safe again.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
