Carl Williams III. Obituary, Death – A shooting at the Saenger Theatre in Mobile, Alabama, on Sunday, June 1, 2025, left one man dead and another injured, according to Mobile Police. Officers were dispatched to the scene around 6:30 p.m. following reports of gunfire during a public event.
When officers arrived at the theater, they found two individuals had been shot. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities confirmed that the second victim’s injuries were not life-threatening.
The Saenger Theatre was hosting a children’s dance recital at the time of the shooting. As police began their investigation, they discovered that the incident stemmed from an argument between two men inside the venue. During the dispute, a man pulled out a firearm and shot one of the individuals involved in the altercation. A second person was unintentionally struck by the gunfire.
The alleged shooter, identified by police as 27-year-old Marcus Sanders, fled the scene on foot immediately after the shooting. However, within a short time, he voluntarily turned himself in to law enforcement and was taken into custody. Sanders was later booked into Metro Jail on the night of the incident.
Following discussions with the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, Sanders is facing charges of Murder and First-Degree Assault in connection to the shooting.
Authorities identified the man killed in the incident as 27-year-old Carl Williams III. He was the intended target of the shooting, according to the police investigation. The name of the second, injured victim has not been released publicly.
The incident has sparked widespread concern and outrage, particularly given the setting of the crime. A dance recital filled with children and families became the backdrop for a deadly act of violence, drawing sharp criticism from law enforcement officials and community members alike.
Mobile Police Chief Paul Jackson addressed the public from the scene Sunday night, condemning the violence and expressing deep concern over the location and timing of the incident. “To bring this to a child’s dance recital is despicable,” Chief Jackson said. His remarks highlighted the shock and gravity of the situation, emphasizing that such violence in a family-centered environment is both unacceptable and deeply disturbing.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence and speak with witnesses. Mobile Police are working to understand the full sequence of events leading up to the shooting and whether any additional individuals were involved. Surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence from the scene are all part of the broader case being built against Sanders.
The shooting has prompted renewed discussions about safety at public events and the challenges law enforcement faces in preventing sudden acts of violence in places traditionally considered safe. Community leaders and local officials have voiced support for the victims’ families and have called for justice to be served.
As the legal process moves forward, the community is mourning the loss of Carl Williams III and rallying around those affected by the incident. The theater, a longstanding venue for cultural events in Mobile, was temporarily closed following the shooting but is expected to resume activities once the investigation has concluded.
For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims, bringing clarity to what occurred, and ensuring accountability for the actions that led to the tragic outcome. Authorities encourage anyone who may have additional information about the case to contact Mobile Police as the investigation continues.
The Saenger Theatre shooting serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly violence can erupt in public spaces, leaving behind devastating consequences for families and communities. The city of Mobile continues to process the incident as officials seek to ensure justice and prevent future tragedies of a similar nature.
