At least two people were killed and 14 others were injured in a mass shooting in Montgomery on Saturday night, according to Alabama authorities.
A woman was among those killed, and at least two of the injured were children, one of whom suffered life-threatening injuries, Montgomery Police Department (MPD) Chief James Graboys told the Montgomery Advertiser.
MASS SHOOTING last night in Montgomery Alabama. Rival gangs shoot at each other downtown.14 Shot. 2 Dead. CRAZINESS.The shooting occurred shortly after a football game between Tuskegee University and Morehouse College. pic.twitter.com/RiuqzCIsek
— JLR© (@JLRINVESTIGATES) October 5, 2025
The shooting occurred in the city’s downtown tourist district shortly after the football game between Tuskegee University and Morehouse College, two historically black universities.
Ahead of the game, the area featured fairground attractions including a ferris wheel and other rides that drew large crowds.
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Chief Graboys said the violence began around 11:30 p.m. when a fight broke out between two rival groups.
That confrontation escalated into what police described as a running gun battle in a crowded area, and bystanders were struck.
“This was two parties involved that were basically shooting at each other in the middle of a crowd,” he said, as reported by AL.com, adding that the shooters “did not care about the people around them when they did it.”
As of early Sunday, no arrests had been announced. Twelve of the 14 injured remained hospitalized.
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“In total, three victims remain in life-threatening condition, and nine sustained non-life-threatening injuries,” MPD Lt. Tina McGriff told the Montgomery Advertiser.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said officers were already deployed in the immediate vicinity when the first shots were fired.
Police were patrolling “within 50 feet of both sides” of the scene when the shooting started, Reed told WSFA. He added a message to residents and visitors: “We’re praying for the victims of this atrocity. We’re praying for their families, their friends. We’re praying for our city. Thousands of people have been in the city this weekend, and it only took one or two to change the entire outcome.”
Investigators are asking for public assistance to identify those responsible.
“We are urging anyone with information related to this incident to come forward. Even the smallest detail could be critical to helping investigators identify those responsible,” Lt. McGriff said.
Crime statistics place Montgomery among U.S. cities with higher crime rates. Data compiled by CrimeGrade.com lists Montgomery in the top 10 percent for high crime rates among American cities.
City and state leaders have debated how to reduce violence while maintaining routine policing and community events downtown.
In her February State of the State address, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said she would expand the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit operating in the Montgomery region.
The unit brings together personnel from the Montgomery Police Department, the Montgomery Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.
State officials described the effort as a way to coordinate resources among local and federal agencies for targeted enforcement.
In August, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville said he would support deploying the National Guard to Montgomery and Birmingham to address crime in the two cities.
Mayor Reed has argued that Guard support is not needed in Montgomery. He has pointed to local data showing reductions in violent and nonviolent crime, as well as declines in non-fatal shootings, during the first half of 2025.
“Montgomery is not a battlefield. It is a city of families, faith and future. The people of this community deserve solutions rooted in partnership, not political soundbites,” he said at a June press conference, as reported by the Alabama Reflector.
Authorities have not released information about the identities of the shooters or the victims, and police did not immediately provide details on the types of firearms used.
Detectives are reviewing surveillance video from the area and interviewing witnesses who were downtown for the game and the attractions.
Anyone who was in the vicinity around 11:30 p.m. and saw the initial altercation or the exchange of gunfire is being asked to contact investigators.
City officials said additional patrols would remain downtown as the investigation continues.
Police asked businesses near the scene to preserve any security camera footage from Saturday night that could aid the case. Further updates from MPD are expected as officers gather evidence and confirm victim conditions with area hospitals.
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The Usual Suspects…
This shooting was gang related, and the title of the article is very misleading making it seem as if happened during the football game. This didn’t even have anything to do with the game.
You do not know that. Until we know the reason for the gangs to open fire you cannot make statements like that. The title clearly says gun fire erupts following the game. If you took that to mean it was because of the football game then you need to sharpen your comprehension skills. Just sayin.
But it’s Alabama, so EVERYTHING is on relation to football… before, during or after!
Many saw the shootings. They have a moral obligation to report the perpetrators to law enforcement for the sake of the victims and the community.
New headline: 2 dead, 14 injured after gangs diss each other in the midst of innocent bystanders.
Yes Mr Reed I suppose these guys shooting at each other were a different church congregation haha ..this city is so clean..if this is how well you know your city I think you should step down and have someone that can see run it
It is imperative that the death sentence be reinitiated. These senseless shootouts are by people that have no respect or fear of the law and no consideration for the innocent. They plan on getting a Democrat judge to slap their wrist and dump them on the street again. These shootings should be removed from state judge jurisdiction.
Football has turned into ghetto ball.
Obviously, the police department officers that were less than 50 ft away but yet they were unable (or unwilling to get involved) to shoot the perps? What good was it to have them there to begin with?? One more example of a poorly trained police department!!
THIS is what happens when you have elected that refuse to take on crime head on. They coddle the criminals and expect citizens to accept crime as part of doing business. NOPE. This violence can be ended if you only put real men in office that will not tolerate these animals being on the streets.
Plus a few “Real People” as “Judges” in the Courts ( of Law ).