An Alabama judge has decided against raising the bond for a man accused of attempted murder, despite pleas from prosecutors and community members, allowing the suspect to remain free while awaiting trial.
The incident occurred on the night of October 4, shortly after 11:30 p.m., in the aftermath of the Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic college football game in Montgomery, Alabama. According to Montgomery Police Chief Jim Graboys, the shooting left two people dead and 12 others injured. Chief Graboys noted that the violence was primarily directed at one individual among the 14 victims, with several attackers involved.
“This incident began when one of the 14 victims, whom we believe was specifically targeted, became the focal point of a gunfire exchange,” explained Graboys. “Once the shooting started, numerous individuals in the crowd brandished their own firearms and began firing.”
Among those apprehended was 19-year-old Javorick Whiting, who was taken into custody on October 16 and charged with attempted murder connected to the mass shooting. Court documents reveal that the victim allegedly shot by Whiting remains in critical condition.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has released a booking photo of Javorick Whiting, age 19.
Following his arrest, the court set Whiting’s bond at $60,000. He secured his release on October 17 through a bail bond company, as indicated by court records reviewed by Fox News Digital.
After outcry from the community, prosecutors filed a motion to increase Whiting’s bond, arguing $60,000.
“The current bond amount is woefully inadequate to protect the public from this dangerous and violent criminal,” the DA’s office wrote.
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 DA’s office wrote that the 19-year-old’s actions show he’s a “danger to the community” and therefore should be behind bars.
However, District Judge Michael Godwin denied the motion to increase bond, writing that prosecutors didn’t present any new evidence. Godwin wasn’t the judge who set Whiting’s $60,000 bond.
“The issue the Court has with the State’s request is that there is no new or additional information the State has presented to the court that was not presented or available at the initial appearance hearing when bond was addressed,” Godwin wrote.
Javorick Whiting as he was taken into custody by the Montgomery Police Department. (Montgomery Police Department)
Republican Gov. Kay Ivey previously 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, but it still needs to be approved by voters in the state.
