Nearby Shots Fired Call Raises Concerns For Northport's Hasson Center

NORTHPORT, AL — Some in the Northport community have expressed concerns following a recent suspected shooting in the area of the Robert Hasson Community Center, which was hosting a large party over the weekend with hundreds of attendees.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

Northport Police Department Assistant Chief Keith Carpenter told Patch that officers were called to the area around 10 p.m. Saturday night after receiving a report of shots fired. He was quick to point out that the call of the shooting did not originate from the Hasson Community Center, but a nearby location.

However, Carpenter did confirm that officers noted a large party going on at the center when police responded to the shots fired call. He also said that despite the details of the initial call, no one was injured, nothing was found to have been struck by gunfire and no shell casings were recovered.

While the exact number of people at the Sweet 16 party has yet to be confirmed, eyewitnesses said it was several hundred. This also comes as memories are still fresh following a mass shooting at a Sweet 16 party in Dadeville in April that resulted in the deaths of four people, while 32 others, mostly teenagers, were injured.

The Robert Hasson Community Center is owned by the City of Northport and is currently leased to the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama — meaning the city is not responsible for providing security for private events or those hosted by the nonprofit.

Due to being the property owner, the City of Northport does have liability coverage for any negligence at the property. What's more, the nonprofit is prohibited from using the Hasson Center for any other purposes unless written consent is provided by Northport's city administrator.

Northport City Administrator Glenda Webb confirmed to Patch that she was not contacted nor was approval given for the event on Saturday night.

District 2 City Councilman Woodrow Washington III confirmed the circumstances of the party at the Hasson Center Saturday night but reiterated that the shots fired call came from nearby and not at the center on Bridge Avenue.

"That's the purpose of the center — to give people a venue to enjoy," Washington said. "We are working with Boys and Girls Clubs to make sure nothing like this happens again."

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com