A suspect involved in a recent Montgomery shootout, who was charged with one count of attempted murder, has been released on $60,000 bond from the Montgomery County Detention Center.
Javorick Whiting, 19, was given the maximum bond available in such cases under Alabama law.
The release has sparked an outcry from both the public and lawmakers, who are now pushing to strengthen laws to ensure suspects like Whiting are not able to bond out and cause similar violent incidents.
During a call with reporters on Thursday morning, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) spoke out about Whiting making bail and suggested help could be on the way to Montgomery.
"One of the four involved in Montgomery's October 4 deadly mass shooting was released from jail on bond this week," Tuberville said. "We are failing our communities and the victims' families by allowing violent criminals to post bail and roam our streets. Alabamians deserve to feel safe in our capital city, and right now, this is not the case."
The senator pointed to the consistently high murder rate in the city.
"There were more than 61 homicides in Montgomery last year," he outlined. "Folks, this cannot continue. We're not going to allow it. We're going to make downtown Montgomery a safe zone."
Tuberville revealed that FBI Director Kash Patel will soon be sending a large number of agents to Montgomery to serve as backup for local and state authorities as they continue to fight violent crime.
"You know, I have talked with FBI Director Kash Patel, and he's gearing up to send a surge of FBI agents into Montgomery to help the Montgomery Police Department, state troopers and sheriff," he declared. "We've got to get this under control. We are not a third-world country. The criminals are not in charge."
"I will continue to follow this situation very, very closely," Tuberville added.
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