In a turn of events that has stirred public anger, an Alabama man accused of attempted murder in a shooting that resulted in two deaths and left 12 others injured has been released on bail. Many in the community feel strongly that he should remain behind bars.
The incident in question occurred on the night of October 4, shortly after 11:30 p.m., following the Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic college football game in Montgomery, Alabama. The chaos of the shooting left a community grappling with shock and grief.
According to Montgomery Police Chief Jim Graboys, the violence was sparked by an individual among the 14 victims being specifically targeted, leading to a broader exchange of gunfire. “This began with one person being targeted, resulting in an exchange of gunfire,” Graboys stated. “Once that exchange started, several individuals in the crowd drew their weapons and began firing.”
Among those apprehended in connection with the incident is 19-year-old Javorick Whiting. He was taken into custody on October 16 and faces charges of attempted murder. Whiting is just one of several suspects authorities have identified, which also includes some juveniles.
The decision to grant bail to Whiting has intensified emotions in the community, as residents call for justice and question the judicial process that allowed for his release.
Javorick Whiting, 19, one of the several suspects, including juveniles, was arrested on Oct. 16 and charged with attempted murder in relation to the Oct. 4 incident.
After being taken into custody, a judge set bond at $60,000, which Whiting was able to post on Oct. 17 through a bail bond company, court records obtained by Fox News Digital show.
Following public outcry, the Montgomery County district attorney filed a motion to increase Whiting’s bond, writing that the current bond is “woefully inadequate.”
This image taken from video provided by WSFA shows the scene after a shooting earlier Saturday in downtown Montgomery, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (WSFA via AP)
“The current bond amount is woefully inadequate to protect the public from this dangerous and violent criminal,” the DA’s office wrote.
The DA’s office wrote that Whiting’s actions show he’s a “danger to the community” and should remain behind bars.
Read the motion to increase bond here:
Republican Gov. Kay Ivey expressed her frustrations in a Facebook post.
“Today, we learn that one of the four suspects has been released back onto the streets,” Ivey wrote on Oct. 20. “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.”
Aniah’s Law was passed in 2019 in honor of Aniah Blanchard, who was murdered in 2019 by someone who was out on bond for violent offenses. The law allows judges and prosecutors to request and deny bail for offenses such as kidnapping, murder, rape and aggravated child abuse.
Lawmakers recently passed legislation which would add attempted murder to the list of eligible charges in Aniah’s Law.
Javorick Whiting as he was taken into custody by the Montgomery Police Department. (Montgomery Police Department)
Graboys was also among those who advocated for an expansion to Aniah’s Law.
“We need assistance, both legislatively and in the judicial system, about what we’re going to do. I think Aniah’s Law has been a great law, but maybe it’s to be expanded,” he said, according to the Alabama Reflector. “Maybe people need to use the discretion that Aniah’s Law gives them to hold people for trial when they’ve been arrested for violent felonies.”
