A tranquil May Day gathering in Stockton, Alabama turned fatal late on Saturday, May 11, 2024, when a shooting broke out, resulting in three fatalities and injuries to 15 others.

The deadly incident took place in a field in Stockton, a small community of roughly 400 residents located approximately 30 miles northeast of Mobile, Alabama.

The deceased have been identified as Chiquita Ewing, 37, a mother of four, Christian Bradley, 24, and Michael Anderson Jr., 19.

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) indicated that the event, which pulled in around 1,000 attendees, descended into chaos when a disagreement spiraled into a shooting.

Eyewitnesses painted a harrowing picture of multiple rounds being discharged into the crowd. Captain Andre Reid of the BCSO stated that the majority of the victims were young. “This is a tragic event that touches many lives in our community. We are working very hard to resolve this case, but we cannot make arrests or successfully prosecute the offenders without help,” said Reid.

Douglas Bolden, a regular attendee of the annual May Day event held since 1970, recollected the horrifying night. “There were kids lost and running into the woods. People were running for their lives,” said Bolden, who sought refuge under his camper after a bullet broke the window of a nearby truck. Another witness was unable to comprehend why the shooting occurred, stating, “There was no reason for the shooting. It wasn’t bad enough to justify bringing a gun and shooting around all these people. It didn’t make any sense.” This year, extra security had been hired for the gathering, since a large crowd was anticipated.

A suspect, Robert German Brown Jr, 24, from Mobile, Alabama, was taken into custody on charges of first degree assault on Wednesday, May 15.

The BCSO suspects there may have been multiple perpetrators involved in the shooting and is diligently pursuing leads. They encouraged witnesses to share any pertinent information or video footage that might assist in identifying the assailants. “According to witnesses, the event was peaceful until an argument broke out, which led to at least one person firing multiple rounds into the crowd,” elaborated Captain Andre Reid.

The local authorities are asking for public assistance to apprehend the others responsible for the deadly incident. The appeal underscores the challenge law enforcement faces in solving cases like this without the cooperation of witnesses.

An attendee, who wished to remain unnamed, described the party as initially filled with families and children enjoying the festivities. “It was just a fun, family-oriented event until everything went wrong,” they reported. The unexpected outbreak of violence sent everyone into a frantic rush for safety.

Martha Tims, a cousin of victim Chiquita Ewing, expressed her heartbreak over the loss. “All of a sudden, I just kept hearing multiple gunshots, and everybody started running away. So I went to the first person I saw lying on the ground, and someone told me there was another person shot behind him,” Tims told local media. “I turned around and saw it was my cousin. I just broke down; she was lying there unresponsive. … It was utter chaos.”

Authorities are providing support for the victims and their families, who are grappling with the sudden loss and trauma. Community leaders are urging unity and collaboration to prevent similar future incidents and to ensure the safety of public gatherings.

The BCSO continues to appeal for anyone with information to step forward, underlining the crucial role of community involvement in solving this case. “This is a tragic event that touches many lives in our community,” Reid reiterated. “We are working hard to resolve this case, but we cannot do it alone.”