Second Arrest Made In West Tuscaloosa Block Party Mass Shooting

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A second person has been arrested in connection with the weekend mass shooting in west Tuscaloosa that left seven people injured.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, announced Tuesday afternoon that 22-year-old Kemarkus Antonio Allen has been charged with seven counts of first-degree assault.

Allen was also served with a probation violation for second-degree receiving stolen property.

The arrest comes one day after investigators announced the first arrest in the shooting, which occurred late Saturday during the "Shack Town Reunion," a large neighborhood block party in west Tuscaloosa.

As Patch previously reported, 23-year-old Keyontae Jones was taken into custody and initially charged with eight counts of first-degree assault.

A judge has since set Jones' bond at $250,000.

Kennedy said Monday that investigators determined one person who claimed to have been shot during the incident was not actually present when the shooting occurred.

Investigators said they would seek to dismiss one of the eight counts against Jones, leaving him facing seven first-degree assault charges related to the seven confirmed victims.

The seven victims are ages 12, 14, 17, 17, 18, 20 and 40.

Kennedy said Monday that investigators believe multiple shooters were involved and that the incident may have involved gang activity, with one group encountering or seeking out another group before gunfire erupted in the crowded public space.

Authorities have stressed that the Shack Town Reunion, which was permitted by the City of Tuscaloosa, does not appear to have been the reason for the shooting.

The investigation has drawn assistance from several local and federal agencies, including the FBI, which announced Monday that it is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the location, arrest and conviction of those responsible for the shooting.

The FBI also established a digital media tip line for witnesses and others to submit photographs, cellphone videos, social media content and other digital evidence from the scene.

Kennedy said Tuesday that the investigation remains active and that additional arrests are possible.

Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information about the incident is asked to contact the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit at (205) 464-8690 or submit information through the FBI's digital media tip line.

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