One of the four suspects arrested for their alleged involvement in a deadly downtown shootout in Montgomery on October 4 was released on a $60,000 bond.
Javorick Whiting, 19, was arrested on Thursday and charged with one count of attempted murder and was released on $60,000 bond from the Montgomery County Detention Center on Monday, according to court records.
Governor Kay Ivey said, “As I stated after two Alabamians lost their lives at the hands of thugs in downtown Montgomery on October 4, any and all involved must be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Today, we learn that one of the four suspects has been released back onto the streets. This is exactly the legal loophole that I and many in the Legislature sought to close when I signed the Safe Alabama package. Next May, all Alabama voters will have a chance to end mandatory bail for those suspected of attempted murder by voting to expand Aniah’s Law. I will not forget today’s troubling news when casting my vote,” Ivey said.
Judges are already able to deny bond under Aniah’s Law for some violent offenses. However, attempted murder isn’t one of those offenses yet.
Legislation and a constitutional amendment sponsored by State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) was passed in the 2025 session that would add to Aniah’s Law any “solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder.” This addition to Aniah’s Law will become effective upon ratification of a constitutional amendment to be considered by voters on May 19, 2026, during the statewide primary election.
“We’ve made great strides to make sure that those in law enforcement and through the court systems prosecuting these cases have the tools they need to pursue to the fullest extent everything with these bad folks,” Barfoot told 1819 News on Monday.
Aniah’s Law was adopted after the 2019 murder of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard allegedly at the hands of a criminal defendant out on bail after being arrested for multiple violent offenses. Aniah’s Law allows a court to deny bail for criminal defendants charged with certain offenses if necessary to protect public safety.
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