MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) – Governor Kay Ivey has issued a strong statement following news that one of the four suspects arrested in the October 4, 2025, downtown Montgomery shooting has been released on bail.
“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,” Governor Ivey said. “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.”
During the 2025 legislative session, Governor Ivey worked with lawmakers to pass Safe Alabama, a sweeping package of bills aimed at strengthening public safety across the state.
A key piece of that package, Senate Bill 119, also known as the Governor’s Inner City Gun Violence Bill sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, seeks to amend Aniah’s Law — named after Aniah Blanchard, who was killed in 2019 by a suspect out on bail for multiple violent crimes.
The proposed change would allow courts to deny bail to those charged with the solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder. The amendment will take effect only if approved by Alabama voters during the May 19, 2026, statewide primary election.
