Off duty police officer, private security and customers respond to mass shooting, aiding victims
Montgomery AL January 10, 2022
One person is dead, six others shot during a mass shooting at a local bowling alley.
An off-duty city police officer and a private security officer on duty at the Bama Lanes bowling alley on Atlanta Highway immediately responded to the threat, provided first-aid to victims and helped to bring customers to safety during the shooting.
Interim Police Chief Romona Harris said that ordinary people stepped up to render aid and identify the alleged shooter.
“Within seconds of the shooting, the police officer, security officer and other patrons rendered first aid to the injured and the officer called for back-up,” Harris said. “While other patrons were exiting the business, it is believed the shooter fled the scene at that time.”
Tory Johnson, 23, was identified by community members, Harris said. Johnson is charged with murder, two counts of first-degree assault and four counts of second-degree assault.
“We appreciate the community coming forward with assisting in the identification of the offender and rendering first aid – ordinary people acting in an extraordinary way,” Harris said.
Based on the investigation, Harris said there was a verbal altercation between people inside the establishment that led to the shooting.
A video circulating on Facebook, that purportedly was taken inside the bowling alley, shows patrons engaged in a verbal altercation before the sound of gunfire is heard and people begin scattering away from the violence.
Montgomery police investigated 76 homicides last year, nearly 90% of which were caused by gunfire.
Police Chief Romona Harris “I want the citizens of Montgomery to know that we are not in a hopeless state,” Harris said. “The Montgomery Police Department continues to invest in and expand technological resources that will help combat gun violence. We are also placing even more emphasis on community engagement through outreach and awareness that will hopefully change and have a positive influence on the culture and mentality that we are seeing today.”
