New Bill Aims to Tackle Public Shootings in Alabama

State Rep. Matt Simpson is pushing for stronger laws to address public shootings! He formally introduced House Bill 20 at a press conference, backed by local law enforcement bigwigs.

Law Enforcement Support

Simpson announced the bill alongside Sheriffs Hoss Mack, Anthony Lowery, Paul Burch, District Attorney Keith Blackwood, and Sergeant John Young. "This bill will address public shootings and broaden law enforcement’s ability to charge capital murder to those who commit murder and endanger the lives of multiple people," Simpson shared on Facebook.

Expanding the Definition

House Bill 20 wants to broaden Alabama’s capital murder statute by adding a new factor: committing murder in a way that knowingly creates a “great risk of death” to multiple people. This is intended to close a loophole where capital charges might not apply if multiple folks are hurt but only one dies.

Why Now?

Several high-profile shootings in Alabama have highlighted the urgency. Simpson hopes the change will give prosecutors more flexibility in cases where multiple lives are at risk.

Recent Tragedies

Examples cited include a fatal shooting at a children’s dance recital in Mobile (Saenger Theatre) in 2025 and a New Year’s Eve shooting on Dauphin Street in 2022. Other incidents referenced included a shooting in Sage Park and a holiday gathering in Theodore, both resulting in casualties. A May Day shooting in 2024 in Baldwin County also left several dead and wounded.

What's New in HB20?

HB20 would add a 22nd aggravating factor to Alabama's capital offenses list. These offenses currently include killings during robberies or assaults on public officials.

Addressing Concerns

An earlier version included "public places," but Simpson removed it to avoid squabbles over the definition of such spaces.