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New evidence emerged during the “Aniah’s Law” hearing in Dadeville. An Alabama Law Enforcement Investigator testified that one handgun was altered with an illegal Glock switch. And witnesses described hearing rapid gunfire at the mass shooting on Saturday. 

The large number of shots fired was confirmed by 89 bullet casings found littering the floor of what had been intended as a Sweet Sixteen birthday party. Shell casings from four types of handguns were recovered.

The party was held at a dance studio just off the Dadeville town square. The small town is about 60 miles northeast of Montgomery.

"Multiple shell casings. Blood everywhere," Special Agent Jess Thornton detailed. He claims the crime scene was like nothing he'd encountered in 18 years with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

It is estimated there were 50 to 60 people crammed inside the party venue, which measured about 38 feet by 26 feet, when the gunfire erupted.

On Tuesday Thornton also described the chaotic crime scene. During the mass shooting 4 young people were killed and 28 were wounded. 

Six people have been charged with reckless murder according to an AP reported. All six alleged shooters are being charged as adults. And they will all be held without bond.

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Glock switch enables rapid fire

At least one of the handguns involved in the shooting had been modified to shoot faster with a Glock switch. The rapid-fire alteration is why "Witnesses said it sounded like a machine gun."

Birmingham Police have found evidence that dangerous Glock switches are being used more often by criminals.

According to the ATF, the number of Glock switches seized by law enforcement in the state of Alabama has increased by 1,200%.

“For each single pull of the trigger, it fires multiple rounds. It can fire up to a rate of 11 to 12 rounds per minute. That’s dangerous and as mentioned by the chief, it’s very dangerous to innocent bystanders. It is not an accurate weapon,” Special Agent Ashley Lightner with the ATF explained.

The defendants were uninvited party guests

Thornton said the six defendants all knew each other. They were not invited to the party. And had traveled from Auburn and Tuskegee to attend it.

At least five of the six alleged shooters met after the party at a parking lot in a nearby city.

George Bulls, defense lawyer for Willie Brown, suggested that one of the partygoers that died had fired the first shots.

Thornton agreed that some statements claimed Corbin Holston, was the one who started the shooting.

Thornton testified that Holston, 23, of Dadeville, was found with a recently fired 40-caliber gun on his chest. Thornton said the gun's position struck him as odd. "Almost like it was placed there." 

Partygoers witnessed someone with a gun. An announcement was made that anyone with a weapon needed to leave. And then the shooting started.

Among those killed were two Dadeville High School seniors, Phil Dowdell, 18, and Shaunkivia Nicole "KeKe" Smith, 17. Marsiah Emmanuel "Siah" Collins, 19, and Holston, 23 also died in the mass shooting.