SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
What began as a festive Mardi Gras weekend in downtown Mobile ended in violence Sunday night, as two separate shootings left seven people wounded and one alleged robbery suspect dead, city officials confirmed.
Police Chief William Jackson said the first shooting happened around 11 p.m. near Dauphin and Joachim streets — the heart of Mobile’s Mardi Gras celebrations. Officers already stationed in the area quickly responded and found three gunshot victims at the scene. Others later arrived at hospitals in private vehicles.
“In total, seven people were struck by gunfire,” Jackson said. The victims — five men and two women between the ages of 24 and 30 — were hospitalized. One remains in critical condition; the others suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Despite interviewing witnesses and persons of interest, police say they are still searching for a suspect and motive in that shooting.
Within minutes of the first incident, gunfire erupted again — this time in a parking lot on Government Street. Authorities say a man attempted to rob another individual, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The alleged suspect, identified as 21-year-old Javeli Alexander, died from his injuries. The robbery victim was treated and released.
Police are investigating the second shooting as a likely case of self-defense, which will be presented to a grand jury.
Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis and Jackson emphasized the violence was not connected to Mardi Gras festivities and urged the public not to let the incidents overshadow the celebration.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Mobile Police.