Crime
Downtown Montgomery mass shooting victims identified
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Montgomery Police Department (MPD) is investigating a deadly overnight mass shooting that occurred late Saturday in downtown Montgomery, leaving two people dead and twelve others injured, including two juveniles.
According to MPD, officers responded to reports of multiple gunshots near Bibb Street and Commerce Street around 11:30 p.m.
When police arrived, they found numerous victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Two individuals, including a woman identified by family members as Shalanda Williams, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The second victim has been identified as Jeremiah Morris.
Both victims were remembered by loved ones as kind, community-minded individuals whose lives were tragically cut short.
Among the 12 surviving victims, three remain in life-threatening condition, including one juvenile, while nine others sustained non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed condemned the shooting, calling it a “reckless and selfish act.”
“To have a heinous event like this take place prior to midnight in a busy part of our entertainment district is reckless and selfish,” Reed said. “You don’t care about your life? Go jump off a bridge. You don’t pull out a gun and shoot in a crowd of people.”
Police Chief Jim Graboys emphasized that the department will dedicate all available resources to apprehend those responsible.
“This is not acceptable. This is not normal,” Graboys said. “We will not rest until we put the people involved in jail.”
Chief Graboys noted that the incident does not appear to be a random mass shooting, but rather a confrontation between two groups who opened fire in a crowded area, endangering bystanders.
Mayor Reed confirmed that police units were stationed within 50 feet of both sides of the scene when the shooting erupted. He vowed that the suspects, once captured, would be “made an example of.”
The shooting occurred during a busy night in downtown Montgomery, as thousands of residents and visitors were in the area for several major events, including the Tuskegee–Morehouse Classic, the Alabama National Fair, and Alabama State University’s homecoming festivities.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement offering condolences to the victims and their families, while also expressing concern about violence in the state’s capital city.
“My deepest sympathies go out to all those affected by this senseless act,” Marshall said. “This tragedy underscores, once again, that our capital city is in crisis. I continue to be troubled by the city leadership’s refusal to acknowledge the seriousness of the problem.”
MPD confirmed that multiple individuals have been brought in for questioning in connection with the case. It remains unclear whether any of those individuals are considered suspects at this time.
Detectives have recovered several firearms believed to have been used in the shooting, some equipped with high-capacity magazines.
Authorities are actively reviewing witness statements, forensic evidence, and surveillance footage from the area.
“Detectives are actively pursuing leads and reviewing evidence,” MPD said in a statement. “We urge anyone with information related to this incident to come forward. Even the smallest detail could be critical to helping investigators identify those responsible.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Montgomery Police Department at 334-625-2831 or reach out anonymously to Central Alabama CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).
Crime
Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
BEND, Oregon — Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.
The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.
Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.
Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.
Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.
For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.
The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.
The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.
The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.
Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.
Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.
Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.
“The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,” he said.
His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as “Coach Megan,” was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.
Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.
The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.
For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.
For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.
Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.
As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.
Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.