Six people were shot and another was hurt fleeing the scene when gunfire erupted early Friday morning at an Anniston graduation party, police said.
More than 150 people, ranging in age from 14 to people in their 20s, attended the party at 1204 Front St. when shots were fired Friday “in the early morning hours,” Anniston Police Chief Nick Bowles said Friday afternoon in a statement posted to social media.
Six people were struck from gunfire, Bowles said. None of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries.
At least one person was injured fleeing from the gunfire, the chief said. That person’s injuries were also non-life-threatening.
Multiple vehicles were hit by stray bullets and dozens of shell casings were recovered from the scene.
Several guns were also found at the scene and are being processed by the Anniston Police Department’s crime lab.
“The impulse to use firearms by the young people in our society is a tragedy and a shame,” Bowles said. “Your local police department is called after an event happens and is not able to predict this type of crime. It is up to the families and communities as a whole to protect our children from gun violence. APD is committed to doing whatever we can to help.”
Bowles also spoke to the seriousness of the shooting.
“Lives are fragile and precious. This is not a video game or movie. You don’t get to respawn. The other person doesn’t get another chance to play again,” he said.
Oxford police assisted Anniston officers on the scene.
The case is active and ongoing, Bowles said. He urged anyone with information or videos of the shooting to call Anniston police’s investigation division at 256-240-4000.