Athletic trainer killed in Dadeville mass shooting called ‘sweetest person ever’

Athletic trainer killed in Dadeville mass shooting called ‘sweetest person ever’

A victim of Saturday night’s shooting at a Dadeville birthday party has been identified as a once-promising athlete who was a committed friend.

Reports and social media have identified Keke Nicole Smith, a senior at Dadeville High School, as one of those who died in the shooting that claimed the lives of four people attending a birthday party.

Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, a Dadeville football player who had recently committed to Jacksonville State University to play wide receiver, was identified as another victim. The birthday party was for Dowdell’s sister.

On Facebook, Brooke Bowden, a friend, posted, “why ke? sweetest person ever. i just can’t believe this. not now &’ probably not ever. i miss you so much already. it’ll never be the same , i love you.”

Amy Jackson, a relative, posted on Facebook: “Give us strength and understanding Mighty God. Praying for all loved ones that have lost their life or were injured. We love you Ke.”

D’Arcy Calhoun, on social media, said: “All of this just seem so unreal… praying for all the families!! These babies lost their life to soon!! Praying for the ones that’s still fighting and hurting.”

On Saturday, Smith posted “this is so sad” to Facebook in response to the story of two teenagers who died in a traffic accident early Saturday morning in Tuscaloosa and had attended the Paul W. Bryant High School prom together.

The Alexander City Outlook is reporting that Smith was manager of the basketball and track and field teams. She played volleyball and softball until her junior year when a knee injury sidelined her.

Coach Michael Taylor told the paper Smith “was full of love.”

“Just like Phil, she was very very humble and she had this huge smile like Phil had,” he said. “She would joke around all the time, and she got onto all of us — even me. She was just full of life.”