A tragic incident unfolded in Montgomery, Alabama, on Saturday night, resulting in the death of two individuals and injuries to 14 others. Among the deceased was a woman, and two children were among the injured, one of whom is in critical condition, according to Montgomery Police Department (MPD) Chief James Graboys.
The incident took place in the bustling tourist district of the city, shortly after a football game between Tuskegee University and Morehouse College, two historically black universities in Alabama. The area was filled with fairground-style attractions set up for the game, including a ferris wheel and other rides.
The violence erupted around 11:30 p.m. when a dispute between two rival groups escalated into a gunfight. The shooters, seemingly unconcerned about the surrounding crowd, fired indiscriminately, hitting innocent bystanders.
According to Chief Graboys, the shooters were “shooting at each other in the middle of a crowd” and “did not care about the people around them when they did it.” As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. Twelve of the 14 victims are still receiving treatment in the hospital.
MPD Lt. Tina McGriff reported that “three victims remain in life-threatening condition, and nine sustained non-life-threatening injuries.” Police were patrolling the area when the shooting occurred, with officers stationed within 50 feet of the scene, according to Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed.
Mayor Reed expressed his condolences and prayers for the victims and their families, and urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. He said, “Even the smallest detail could be critical to helping investigators identify those responsible.”
Montgomery has been grappling with high crime rates, ranking in the top 10 percent of U.S. cities with high crime rates, according to CrimeGrade.com. In response to this, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has proposed expanding the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit, a crime-fighting force in Montgomery comprising officers from the MPD, the Montgomery Sheriff’s Office, the ATF, and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.
Despite the high crime rates, Mayor Reed has maintained that the city does not require the intervention of the National Guard. He highlighted that both violent and non-violent crimes, as well as non-fatal shootings, had decreased in the first half of 2025. He emphasized that Montgomery is a city of families, faith, and future, and that the community deserves solutions rooted in partnership, not political soundbites.