2 Dead, 12 Injured in Montgomery Shooting — Here’s What We Know

Montgomery, Ala. — October 5, 2025 - Two people were killed and at least 12 others injured in a mass shooting that erupted in downtown Montgomery's entertainment district early Sunday morning, authorities said, turning a bustling weekend of events into a scene of chaos and grief. The gunfire broke out around 1:30 a.m. at the intersection of Commerce and Tallapoosa streets, a popular nightlife hub packed with thousands attending the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic football game, the Alabama National Fair, and Alabama State University homecoming festivities.

Montgomery police identified the victims as a 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old male, both local residents, who succumbed to their injuries at Baptist Medical Center South despite rapid medical intervention by first responders. The 12 injured ranged in age from 18 to 35, with eight suffering non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and four treated for minor injuries from the ensuing panic, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). All survivors were reported in stable condition as of midday Sunday.

Preliminary investigations point to a targeted altercation between rival groups that escalated into a chaotic shootout, with multiple assailants exchanging fire in the crowded street. "This was not a random act but a brazen exchange of gunfire in a densely populated area," Montgomery Police Chief Mitchell Parker said at a 6 a.m. press conference. Surveillance footage captured at least 20 rounds fired from handguns and a semi-automatic rifle, scattering revelers and shattering vehicle windows along the block.

Within minutes, Montgomery officers and ALEA state troopers—already on heightened alert due to the large crowds—secured the scene, rendering aid and detaining three persons of interest for questioning. No arrests have been announced, but authorities recovered several shell casings and a discarded firearm. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is assisting, though officials emphasized the incident appears gang-related rather than terror-linked.

Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed decried the shooting as "a senseless tragedy that shatters our community's spirit," pledging $50,000 in reward funds for tips leading to arrests. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey echoed the sentiment in a statement, directing ALEA to bolster patrols through the weekend and calling for federal support to address urban gun violence. "Our capital city deserves better than bullets flying on its streets," Ivey said.

The incident has drawn national attention, with civil rights leaders like Rev. Al Sharpton planning a vigil for Monday. Montgomery, with a population of 200,000 and a history of racial tensions including the 1965 Selma marches, has seen a 15% rise in homicides this year, totaling 42 as of September, per city data.

The shooting marred what was meant to be a joyous convergence: The Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic drew over 20,000 fans to Cramton Bowl, while the Alabama National Fair at the Expo Center featured rides, concerts, and livestock shows for 100,000 visitors. Alabama State University's homecoming parade earlier Saturday had paraded through downtown, amplifying foot traffic.

Gun violence experts note Montgomery's challenges mirror national trends, with the U.S. recording over 400 mass shootings in 2025 so far, per the Gun Violence Archive—a 10% increase from 2024. Local advocates, including the group Mothers Against Gun Violence, renewed calls for stricter background checks and community intervention programs.

As families mourn and investigators comb the scene, Montgomery's leaders urged residents to submit anonymous tips via Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP. The city, resilient in the face of past strife, now grapples with healing from fresh wounds inflicted in the heart of its vibrant core.