Two teenagers charged with reckless murder after shooting dead four people at a Sweet 16

Two teenagers have been arrested and charged in connection with a mass shooting in Dadeville, Alabama, at a Sweet 16 birthday party.

Travis McCullough, 16, and Ty Reik McCullough, 17, both from Tuskegee, have been charged with four counts of reckless murder after four people were shot dead last week – and injured 28 more.

High school football star Philstavious Dowdell, 18, was one of the victims and had been celebrating his sister Alexis’ birthday on Saturday night.

Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, Shaunkivia Nicole Smith, 17, and Marsiah Emmanuel Collins, 19, were also killed in the spree.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirmed that both suspects were arrested on Tuesday at 8pm, and will not be given bond.

Alabama District Attorney for the Fifth District Mike Segrest said both teens would be charged as adults and added that additional charges could be forthcoming.

He added that there were still four victims in the hospital in critical condition, saying: ‘This is just the tip of the iceberg,. We’re going to make sure every one of those victims has justice and not just the deceased.’

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Sgt. Jeremy Burkett said: ‘Make no mistake, this is Alabama and when you pull out a gun, and you start shooting people, we’re gonna put you in jail’.

The shooting took place at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio, with Philstavious’ mother also being injured in the shooting.

No high-powered rifle ammunition was recovered from the scene, but special agents did find numerous shell casings from handguns.

Speaking previously about a different reckless murder charge, Russell County District Attorney Kenneth Davis explained: ‘It’s sometimes called in case law having a depraved heart.

‘It means you committed an act so reckless that it endangers anyone, not just one specific person but anyone.’

Both teenagers have been charged with four counts of the class A felony, which means they could be jailed for a minimum of ten years to life.

Philstavious was awarded a full scholarship to Jacksonville State back this past February and had been set to graduate in a matter of weeks.

Initially, investigators said that they did not have any suspects but made the double arrest just days later.

Officials confirmed that the gunfire erupted at roughly 10:34 pm Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece converted dance studio in downtown Dadeville on North Broadnax Street.

Investigators have been following up on ‘strong leads’ in the shooting, Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan Floyd said earlier this week.

After days without significant answers from authorities, Alexis and Phil’s mother, LaTonya Allen – who was shot twice in the attack – has been anxiously awaiting news.

She told CNN: ‘I just want justice for my baby and all the other kids that were involved.

‘They took away a piece of my heart, and I know the other mothers and fathers feel the same way.’

The attack was one of more than 160 mass shootings that have taken place so far this year in the U.S., according to the Gun Violence Archive.