Man killed in mass shooting at bonfire party that injured 6 juveniles in Mobile identified

A man killed in mass shooting at a bonfire party behind a business in Mobile over the weekend has been identified.

The Mobile Police Department announced Monday morning that Dante Desantis, 31, was killed in a shooting that injured six juveniles.

The youngest victim was 13, said Police Chief William Jackson.

“These are children,” Jackson said. “There’s no excuse for children, or anyone for that matter, to fill up our emergency rooms with injuries that they received from senseless acts of violence.”

The shooting occurred Friday around 10:47 p.m. in the area of Bellingrath and Laurendine Road.

“Four injured victims were transported to area hospitals by personal vehicle, while (two) additional injured victims were transported to area hospitals by ambulance,” a statement by police read.

“At this time, our investigation continues and our findings will be handed over to the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office. No further information will be provided.”

According to witnesses, roughly 100 people were at the party and the shooters fired from their vehicle as they drove away, WKRG reported.

On Saturday afternoon, the Gun Violence Archive listed the deadly incident as one of 476 mass shootings in the U.S. and one of 25 in Alabama so far this year. A mass shooting is one in which four or more people are injured or killed.

In November, one person was killed and 16 people were injured in a shooting during homecoming at Tuskegee University. In September, four people died and 17 were injured in another mass shooting outside Hush Lounge in Birmingham.

Jackson also commented on the death of a man that occurred Sunday after being shot on I-65. The victim was identified as Monterio Harris, 28.

“On Sunday morning, an adult male lost his life while traveling in a vehicle on I-65,” Jackson said. “What we know now is that another vehicle approached, and that’s when gunfire rang out, striking the vehicle and the victim.”

Jackson called on the senseless acts of gun violence to end and for individuals to settle disagreements without weapons.