FBI Puts $10,000 on the Line After First Arrest in West Tuscaloosa Block Party Shooting

Late Saturday night, a neighborhood celebration that had drawn as many as a thousand people turned into a crime scene when gunfire erupted at the Shacktown Reunion in west Tuscaloosa. The shots left seven victims ranging in age from 12 to 40, two of whom were still in the hospital on Monday.

Authorities now say the incident appears to be tied to a gang dispute, not the block party itself. “One group ran into another, and before anyone could react the shooting started,” explained Captain Jack Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit.

On Monday, the unit announced the arrest of 23‑year‑old Keyontae Jones. He was taken into custody on eight counts of first‑degree assault, though investigators have since determined that one of the alleged victims actually wasn’t present during the shooting. As a result, one count will likely be dropped, leaving Jones facing seven assault charges for the seven confirmed injuries.

Jones’ bond has been set at $250,000, and he is being held without bond pending a hearing. The investigation continues to dig into who else might be responsible, and the police are treating the false‑report claim as a separate matter.

In response to the tragedy, the FBI’s Birmingham office stepped in at the request of local law enforcement. Assistant Special Agent in Charge DeAnn Castillo announced a $10,000 reward for anyone who can provide information leading to the location, arrest and conviction of the remaining suspects.

“People often fear retaliation, but without community help we can’t clean up our streets,” Castillo said, urging anyone with photos, video, or even a single eyewitness detail to come forward.

Since the shooting, an expansive team—including Tuscaloosa Police’s Cyber Unit, SWAT, U.S. Marshals, the FBI task force, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Metro Area Crime Center—has been combing through evidence. A digital tip line has been set up for submitting cell‑phone videos, social‑media posts, or any other digital clues.

Captain Kennedy appealed directly to the estimated 1,000 partygoers: “If you saw anything, even something that seems insignificant, please call the Violent Crimes Unit at (205) 464‑8690 or Crime Stoppers at (205) 752‑STOP (7867).”

The case remains open, and investigators say they are still interviewing witnesses and sorting through the massive amount of footage collected from the night. The community hopes the reward and the ongoing outreach will bring the remaining gunmen to justice.