Alabama shooting: Slain 19-year-old planned to start college in fall, father says

DADEVILLE, Ala. — The father of a 19-year-old who was among the four people killed Saturday night during a birthday party in Dadeville said he feels “just empty” after the deadly shooting.

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Marsiah Emmanuel “Siah” Collins died after gunfire erupted during a sweet 16 birthday party at a dance studio in downtown Dadeville, WRBL and WSFA-TV reported.

Tallapoosa County Coroner Mike Knox identified the other slain victims as Shaunkivia Nicole “KeKe” Smith, 17; Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, 18; and Corbin Dehmontrey Holston, 23; according to multiple reports. Twenty-eight other people were injured, authorities said.

“I’m just empty,” Marsiah Collins’ father, Martin Collins, wrote in a post Monday on social media.

Martin Collins said his son had taken a year off school and planned to begin classes at Louisiana State University in the fall. He told AL.com that days before his son was killed, he had made arrangements to have Marsiah Collins move in with him as he also pursues a law degree at LSU.

“He messaged me on April 5 telling me he was ready to leave,” he told AL.com.

“From Saturday night, I didn’t sleep at all until midday yesterday, because I just couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it. I can’t accept it.”

Marsiah Collins was working toward a career in music, the elder Collins said. He graduated from Opelika High School in 2022, AL.com reported.

“He was a great big brother to his sisters,” Martin Collins told the online news outlet. “He was a funny, charismatic kid who loved to light up a room. He had a lot of my mom’s personality. He could do that just being in a house.”

No arrests have been announced in connection with Saturday’s shooting. Authorities continue to investigate.