Alabama shooting: Track team manager killed was ‘full of life’
DADEVILLE, Ala. – A team manager for an Alabama high school was one of the four people killed during Saturday night’s mass shooting at a dance studio in the small town of Dadeville, her coach said Sunday.
Shaunkivia Nicole “KeKe” Smith, 17, a senior at Dadeville High School, died when gunfire erupted at Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio on Saturday night, AL.com reported. The other person identified so far by family members is three-sport high school star Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, 18, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.
The Tallapoosa County coroner on Monday identified the people killed in Saturday’s shooting, WSFA-TV and AL.com reported. In addition to Smith and Dowdell, the coroner also said that Marsiah Emmanuel “Siah” Collins, 19; and Corbin Dehmontrey Holston, 23, were killed.
Smith was a volleyball player and team manager for the high school’s track team, the track coach, Michael Taylor, told The New York Times. Smith’s cousin, Amy Jackson, confirmed her death in a Facebook post.
“Give us strength and understanding Mighty God. Praying for all loved ones that have lost their life or were injured,” Jackson wrote on Facebook. “We love you, Ke.”
Taylor told The Outlook of Alexander City that Smith was “just full of life.”
Alabama shooting: One of 4 people killed was star high school athlete, family says
“She was full of love,” Taylor told the newspaper. “Just like Phil, she was very very humble and she had this huge smile like Phil had. She would joke around all the time, and she got onto all of us — even me.”
Taylor said Smith played volleyball and softball until her junior year, The Outlook reported. She then tore her ACL and decided to become a team manager after she recovered from her injury, according to the newspaper.
Taylor said that classes would be in session on Monday, the Times reported. He said he was trying to figure out what to say to the students.
“Bottom line, we’ve got to pray our way out of this and give it time,” Taylor told the newspaper. “That’s the only way out.”
A mourner holds a candle during Sunday’s vigil in Dadeville, Alabama. Residents of the small town gathered to pray for the victims of Saturday’s mass shooting.
Mourners attend a vigil at the First Baptist Church of Dadeville on Sunday.
Mourners attend a vigil at the First Baptist Church of Dadeville on Sunday.
Mourners comfort each other during a vigil at the First Baptist Church of Dadeville .
Mourners attend a vigil at the First Baptist Church of Dadeville following Saturday’s mass shooting at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio.
Mourners attend a vigil at the First Baptist Church of Dadeville following Saturday’s mass shooting at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio.
Mourners attend a vigil at the First Baptist Church of Dadeville after Saturday’s mass shooting at the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio.
A bullet hole can be seen in the window of the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio, the scene of Saturday night’s deadly mass shooting.
Investigators work the crime scene following a shooting in Dadeville, Alabama.
The small Alabama town of Dadeville is grieving after a mass shooting on Saturday night.
