MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A devastating mass shooting in downtown Montgomery late Saturday night left two people dead and twelve others wounded, including two juveniles, as police search for those responsible. The violence erupted in a bustling part of the city packed with crowds attending major weekend events, turning a festive atmosphere into chaos and fear.
According to the Montgomery Police Department (MPD), officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire near Bibb Street and Commerce Street around 11:30 p.m. When they arrived, they found several victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Two individuals, including a woman identified by family members as Renee, were pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim was identified as Lï Trappski, both remembered by loved ones as caring, community-oriented people whose lives were tragically cut short.
Police said twelve others were injured in the shooting, including two juveniles. Three of the victims remain in life-threatening condition, while nine sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities believe the gunfire stemmed from a confrontation between two groups that escalated violently, rather than a random act. The exchange of bullets in the crowded entertainment district placed dozens of innocent bystanders in danger.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed condemned the shooting, calling it “reckless and selfish.” He expressed frustration that such violence could occur in a vibrant downtown area just before midnight. “To have a heinous event like this take place in a busy part of our entertainment district is reckless and selfish,” Reed said. “You don’t care about your life? Go jump off a bridge. You don’t pull out a gun and shoot in a crowd of people.”
Police Chief Jim Graboys echoed the mayor’s outrage, vowing to bring those responsible to justice. “This is not acceptable. This is not normal,” he said. “We will not rest until we put the people involved in jail.” MPD confirmed that officers were stationed within 50 feet of the shooting when it erupted and that several individuals have already been brought in for questioning. Detectives also recovered multiple firearms, some equipped with high-capacity magazines, believed to have been used in the shooting.
The shooting occurred during one of Montgomery’s busiest weekends, coinciding with the Tuskegee–Morehouse Classic, the Alabama National Fair, and Alabama State University’s homecoming. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall offered condolences to the victims’ families, calling the tragedy “senseless” and a sign of a growing crisis in the state’s capital. “My deepest sympathies go out to all those affected by this senseless act,” Marshall said. “This tragedy underscores that our capital city is in crisis.”
Police continue to review surveillance footage and interview witnesses as the investigation intensifies. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Montgomery Police Department at 334-625-2831 or Central Alabama CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867). Authorities say even the smallest detail could be crucial in identifying and capturing those responsible for this horrific act of violence.