Alabama shooting: Phil Dowdell died saving sister’s life

A teenager who died in a mass shooting at a 16th birthday party in Alabama is being hailed as a hero for saving his sister’s life. Phil Dowdell, 18, pushed the birthday girl, Alexis Dowdell, to the ground as gunfire erupted during the celebration at a dance studio in the community of Dadeville. 

Thirty-two other people were injured in the attack, and three others were killed: Shaunkivia Smith, 17, Marsiah Collins, 19, and Corbin Holston, 23. Family members and friends of the victims have expressed their grief and shock, with Alexis and her mother saying they do not know what led to the shooting. 

Police have not yet named a suspect or a motive and have urged the public to come forward with information. 

The Dadeville attack brings the US to a grim milestone of over 160 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.