MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Following Saturday night’s mass shooting in Montgomery’s entertainment district, Montgomery residents, city leaders, and state leaders reacted to a chaotic and tragic end to what started as a night of celebration.
Within minutes of the incident, Montgomery police officers, state Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, medical responders, Mayor steven Reed, and several city councilmembers arrived at the scene to offer help, speak with the media and gather information.
REACTION POURS IN
WSFA 12 News talked with Brandon Burnham, the owner of Paradigm Lounge, which is near the scene of the mass shooting.
“I was in the office when everything happened,” he explained. “I just heard a ton of shots, people started running inside Paradigm, even in the office where I was. I couldn’t even count how many shots it was, but quite a few.”
Burnham said there were people running, “unfortunately, people laid out on the sidewalk, people trying to resuscitate.”
ATTORNEY GENERAL REACTS
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement that offered his “deepest sympathies” to the victims. He also said the mass shooting “underscore, once again, that our capital city is in crisis.”
Marshall added, “I continue to be troubled by the city leadership’s stubborn refusal to acknowledge that they have a serious problem.”
MAYOR REED RESPONDS TO AG MARSHALL
During an hour-long press conference Sunday afternoon, Mayor Reed responded to AG Marshall’s statement saying that city leaders have acknowledged that the issue of gun violence is a very serious one.
“If you look at our budget. If you look at the amount of money we’ve put into technology, that we have put into first responders, bringing in the best and brightest for our law enforcement, working with faith leaders and grassroots nonprofits, intervention programs […] I don’t how one could really make that statement after seeing what we’ve been doing here over the last six years,” the mayor said.
The mayor went a step further saying that what the city needs is solutions, not “sideline commentary.”
“I think it’s real easy to sit back watching college football and talk about something you don’t know about,” he said.
The mayor also said he would be happy to work with the Attorney General and show him what the city has been working on, emphasizing the importance of collaborating on things like bond reform, carrying without permits, and other issues that would require action by lawmakers at the state level.
“I’ve had a gun pointed at my face,” Mayor Reed added, “I’ll never forget it, and these people will never forget what happened to them last night. I don’t need that type of sideline commentary from the state’s top law enforcement officer, what I need are solutions.”
MONTGOMERY CITY COUNCILORS REACT
Montgomery City Councilmember Julie Turner Beard said in a Facebook post Sunday that “mass shooting” and “Montgomery” are two words that should never go together, adding that she was sad and angry over what she called a senseless act of violence.
District 7 Councilman Andrew Szymanski also took to social media to express condolences for the victims, their families and all those who were involved.
Szymanski noted in his statement that the incident happened in the midst of what should have been a great weekend for the city of Montgomery.
Councilwoman Marche Jackson said she, along with several other council members went to the scene the moment she knew what had happened.
The councilwoman also shared some resources for family guidance and victims services in Montgomery.
SENATOR KATIE BRITT REACTS
Alabama US Senator Katie Britt shared a post on X saying, “Wesley and I are heartbroken for community and ask that you please join us in lifting up the victims and their families in prayer.”
Wesley and I are heartbroken for our community and ask that you please join us in lifting up the victims and their families in prayer.
I’m closely monitoring the ongoing investigation. Everyone responsible for this heinous, senseless violence must be brought to justice.…
— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) October 5, 2025
This story will be updated as we hear from more local and state officials.
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