Montgomery Mayor, Police Chief Demand Broader Scope for Aniah’s Law After Downtown Mass-Shooting Suspect Freed on Bond
Both called for the expansion of Aniah’s Law to allow bail to be denied for all violent crimes
In the wake of the Oct. 4 mass shooting that killed two people and injured at least 12 others in downtown Montgomery, City leaders are calling for an overhaul of Alabama’s bail laws. During a news conference Monday, Mayor Steven Reed and Police Chief Jim Graboys described the release of a shooting suspect on bond as “a slap in the face” to victims and the community, WSFA reported.
The suspect, 19-year-old Javorick Whiting, was arrested in connection with the shooting and charged with attempted murder. He posted a $60,000 bond and was released.
Mayor Reed stressed that the investigation “is not over by a longshot,” and pledged to pursue anyone involved, whether they fired a weapon, aided concealment, or obstructed justice. He also questioned why the bond system allowed such a release in a violent-crime case and referenced conversations with state legislators. “I think it’s incumbent upon those at the State level not to allow these types of things to slip through the cracks,” he said.
Chief Graboys focused on the technical level of the State’s bail statute, known as Aniah’s Law. He called for its significant expansion so that all violent crimes—not only those currently enumerated—are subject to bail-denial consideration. “Too often violent crimes are committed by individuals who are already out on bond for other serious offenses,” the Chief said. “This pattern of repeat violence puts our community and our officers at risk.”
The Oct. 4 incident remains under active investigation. Four suspects have been arrested so far: Hood, 21; McGhee, 19; Whiting, 19; and an unidentified juvenile. The investigating team is reviewing footage from more than 150 downtown cameras.
In response, the Montgomery Police Department has already altered its tactics in the entertainment district of the city. Patrols have increased, posted positions have changed, and a “zero-tolerance” policy for loitering and open containers has been publicly declared, following the suspension of the downtown entertainment district’s open container provision.
State officials also weighed in. Governor Kay Ivey released a statement Monday addressing the suspect’s release and the need for reforms. On Facebook, the Governor posted:
”As I stated after two Alabamians lost their lives at the hands of thugs in downtown Montgomery on October 4th, any and all involved must be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Today, we learn that one of the four suspects has been released back onto the streets. This is exactly the legal loophole that I and many in the Legislature sought to close when I signed the Safe Alabama package. Next May, all Alabama voters will have a chance to end mandatory bail for those suspected of attempted murder by voting to expand Aniah’s Law. I will not forget today’s troubling news when casting my vote.”
As the investigation proceeds, Mayor Reed and Chief Graboys are urging state lawmakers to act swiftly so that no violent-crime case leaves the community vulnerable due to lax bail protocols.
