DADEVILLE, Ala. — At least 89 rounds were fired during the deadly shooting that left four people dead at a girl’s Sweet 16 party in Alabama, a witness testified Tuesday.

Responding officers also found that one of the victims appeared to have a weapon strapped to his chest after autopsy, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Special Agent Jess Thornton said.

The latest revelations came during the first court appearance of three of the five suspects. in the April 15 shooting in Dadeville.

Thornton’s testimony came as a judge is determining possible bail for the suspects. Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee, Willie George Brown Jr., 19, of Auburn and LaMar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn.

The judge is not expected to rule on his bond Tuesday, Fifth Judicial Circuit District Attorney Mike Segrest said.

A makeshift monument outside the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in Dadeville, Alabama.File Kimberly Chandler / AP

Police recovered 89 bullet casings, fired from seven separate pistols of four different calibers.

«I’ve never seen anything of this magnitude,» Thornton said.

The four people killed were Shaunkivia Smith, 17; Mariah Collins, 19; Corbin Holston, 23; and Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, 18.

Dowdell is the brother of Alexis Dowdell, whose 16th birthday was being celebrated when gunfire erupted at a dance studio on North Broadnax Street.

When police arrived at Holston’s body, they found a gun on his chest, according to the witness.

Investigators work at the crime scene following a shooting in Dadeville, Alabama.
Investigators work at a crime scene following a shooting in Dadeville, Alabama on April 16, 2023. Megan Varner/Getty Images

“It was weird how Holston’s gun was placed there,” Thornton said.

Two guns were recovered at the scene, one in Holton’s chest and the other, unfired, in Collins’ waistband, the law enforcement officer said.

Two other suspects, Tuskegee brothers Tyreese “Ty Reik” McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, will also face a judge and their bond status will be determined during a closed-door hearing later Tuesday. .

And there is a sixth suspect, a 15-year-old who has not been publicly identified due to his age.

Jamie Morrison reported from Dadeville and David K. Li from New York City.

This is a developing story. Please check for updates.