Why investigators withheld details, even as Dadeville asked, 'Are we safe?'

DADEVILLE — The slow trickle of critical information in the days after Saturday night's mass shooting at a downtown Dadeville dance studio put folks there on edge. Was the public safe? Were police looking for any suspects that might still be at large?

Near the crime scene on Sunday morning, several blocks were closed off as officers from the state police and federal agencies along with several local departments swarmed the area. Sgt. Jeremy Burkett with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) did not identify a suspect or suspects but said the person was no longer a threat. A day later, he would attempt clarify that statement, saying he meant that there was no further threat at the crime scene itself.

“They aren’t telling me much, either,” said Dadeville Mayor Jimmy “Frank” Goodman. “We have to be patient and let them do their jobs.”

Philstavious "Phil" Dowdell, 18, was at the party Saturday night to celebrate his sister's 16th birthday. He and three others — Shaunkivia “KeKe” Nicole Smith, 17, Marsiah “Siah” Emmanuel Collins, 19, and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23 — died from injuries they suffered in the shooting.

From Tuesday night through Thursday, six arrests in the case have helped to settle rattled nerves. Brothers Tyreese "Ty Reik" McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, of Tuskegee were arrested Tuesday night. Wilson LaMar Hill Jr. of Auburn was arrested Wednesday. Then came three more arrests on Thursday: Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee, Willie George Brown Jr., 19, of Auburn, and a 15-year-old from Tuskegee. That juvenile's name is not being released because of his age.

All are charged with four counts of reckless murder each.

The McCullough brothers were the first to be arrested, and that information was released in a Wednesday morning press conference on the steps of the Tallapoosa County Courthouse. The studio where the shootings took place is about a block away and can be seen from the courthouse.

A small crowd residents gathered on the courthouse lawn, or just nearby, to hear details from the conference. Many went away disappointed.

"I'm glad they made two arrests, I really am," said Ray Hale, who was sitting on a bench in front of Ellaby Boutique, across the street from the courthouse. "But I want to know, are they looking for anybody else, and if so how many? I understand not giving details, with the work going on and all. But we need to know if they are looking for anybody else."

More: As shooting investigation continues, here's everything police have confirmed so far

Community leaders and pastors asked the public to cooperate with law enforcement and inform them of anything, no matter how seemingly insignificant, that could be used in the investigation.

It’s a daunting task to investigate a case with 36 victims, including four fatalities. And officials say four of the wounded remain in critical condition. Several dozen teenagers were at the party when the shooting began.

Investigators were still looking for people who attended the party to talk with them.

The case for silence: 'a right to a fair trial'

Law enforcement has to walk a fine line of giving out information and safeguarding the investigation.

The defendants “… have a right to a fair trial,” said 5th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Mike Segrest.

The judicial process has just begun. Segrest was seeking Aniah’s Law hearings on all five of those arrested on all three and, if successful, the defendants would be held without bail. Then comes first court appearances and possible preliminary hearings, all before the case goes before a future session of the Tallapoosa County Grand Jury.

And as those wheels turn, the investigation continues, covering several communities in and around Tallapoosa County. Segrest said in the Wednesday press conference that young people from Dadeville, Alexander City, Reeltown, Tuskegee and Tallassee attended the party. Other sources and social media posts list attendees from Opelika and Pike Road.

Dadeville is different. Here's why.

It’s an oft used cliché about cases “being tried in the press.” But Dadeville is different. The shootings have garnered national and international media attention.

“Please understand, with a scene, in a violent act with the violence that went on and the magnitude of what happened, we are absolutely still in the early stages of this investigation,” ALEA spokesman Burkett said. ALEA is the lead agency in the investigation, and Burkett has become the face of the investigation, handling most media duties.

Officials have not given any potential motive or motives in the case. They haven’t commented about whether more arrests are expected.

At the Wednesday press conference, Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan Floyd asked for the public to continue to have patience.

"These arrests are the tip of the iceberg, the very beginning," Floyd said. "We have one chance to get it right. We are going to make sure, and be very slow and very methodical. Making an arrest isn't the finish line."

The goal is to get convictions that will result "...in ultimate justice for our victims," he said.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Why Alabama police withheld details about Dadeville mass shooting case