In the days since a mass shooting left two people dead and a dozen others wounded, the City of Montgomery has been thrust into mourning and controversy. Late Saturday night, gunfire erupted in the downtown entertainment district near Commerce and Bibb streets, where hundreds had gathered to enjoy the weekend. Officials say 14 people were shot, two fatally. Among the victims were 17-year-old Jeremiah Morris and 43-year-old Shalanda “Rena” Williams. Five others were left in critical condition while several sustained non-life-threatening wounds. Investigators believe the violence began when one individual was targeted, prompting others nearby to open fire. Witness Dwight Floyd described the chaos in raw terms: “That’s pure evil, it’s pure evil … I was running, I thought to myself there’s too much gunfire, so just get down.”
As police continued to review surveillance footage and interview witnesses, political tensions quickly surfaced over the city’s handling of public safety and gun violence. Mayor Steven Reed and Police Chief Jim Graboys addressed reporters early in the week, pledging a full investigation and calling for calm. But Reed also renewed his criticism of Alabama’s gun laws, arguing that the State’s policies leave cities like Montgomery with “tied hands” when it comes to prevention. “When people are willing to open fire in a crowded area with no regard for human life, there is no legislation that can stop that kind of evil in the moment,” Reed later added that Alabama’s “lax” gun environment makes it harder for local leaders to act before tragedy strikes.
That comment drew a sharp contrast with Governor Kay Ivey, who condemned the violence but rejected Reed’s characterization of State law. The Governor called the shooting “unacceptable” and promised to send additional state law enforcement officers to Montgomery in support of the investigation. While Ivey stopped short of addressing gun control, she emphasized enforcement and accountability, saying Alabama must “uphold law and order” without undermining the rights of law-abiding citizens. Her remarks highlighted a growing rift between city and state leadership — a familiar divide between urban and rural priorities in Alabama politics. Reed, one of the State’s most prominent Democratic Mayors, has frequently clashed with Ivey and Republican lawmakers over public safety and gun policy. In turn, some conservatives have accused the Mayor of “politicizing” the tragedy rather than focusing on law enforcement and community responsibility…