A Tallapoosa judge ordered the case of the 15-year-old charged in the Dadeville Sweet 16 shooting to be moved from juvenile court to adult court for criminal prosecution.
Sherman Peters III, 15, is charged with four counts of reckless murder, 24 counts of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree assault.
District Court Judge Clayton Kim Taylor said after reviewing evidence and conducting hearings, Peters should be tried as an adult due to his demeanor, the nature of the offense, and his physical and mental maturity. Taylor said it is in the community's interest that he is placed under legal restraint for discipline.
“The Court having received the report of the probation officer and having reviewed the entire file and heard the witnesses and arguments of counsel and considering all 6 statutory factors, including but not limited to those required by Alabama Code 12-15-203, (1975), as amended, this Court is of the opinion that the child would not benefit from services that could be offered to him in the Juvenile Court,” the order read.
Peters will have a bond hearing on September 18.
Nineteen-year-old Willie Brown, 19-year-old Johnny Brown, 19-year-old Wilson Hill, 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough and 16-year-old Travis McCullough are also charged in the shooting.
All five of the other suspects have been denied bond in accordance with Aniah’s Law.
Johnny Brown was also denied youthful offender status.
Court documents state that on the night of April 15, the suspects were at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio and "discharged firearms into the crowd," causing the death of four people. Thirty-two others were injured, and after a closer look, 24 of those were injured by a gunshot wound. A 25th victim had a superficial gunshot wound.
The four killed were Shaunkivia Nicole Smith, 17, of Dadeville, Marsiah Emmanuel Collins, 19, of Opelika, Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, of Dadeville, and Philstavious Dowdell, 18, of Camp Hill.
The party was for Dowdell's sister, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirmed Dowdell's mother, Latonya Allen, 37, was among those shot. Other shooting victims' ages ranged from 14 to 19.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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