Montgomery city official urges bail reform after downtown shooting suspect released

A Montgomery city official urged changes to the city’s and state’s approach to bail and criminal charges after one of four suspects arrested in a recent downtown mass shooting was released on bond. The official said the release highlights systemic challenges that can let detainees go "before we can even get back in our offices."

The official said they contacted District Attorney Ashley Oliver and that, as of the meeting, Oliver "is looking at petitioning for a higher bond where that's concerned." The official added that while a higher bond could help locally, broader bail-bond reform for violent offenders is needed. "We gotta look at bail bond reform, for violent offenders," the official said.

The official also recommended ensuring that "attempted murder is one of those crimes" included under Anaya’s Law so it falls within its provisions. The official praised Montgomery Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement, and said the city will remain focused on "arrests, prevention, and partnerships that will move this city forward."

Remarks about the suspect release and the push for reform were made during the city official’s report to the council and occurred before a financial update and other agenda items. The city official framed the issue as both a local enforcement problem and one that may require state-level statutory change.

No formal motion or council vote on bail changes was recorded in the provided transcript; the official said the district attorney was reviewing bond options. The official did not provide a timetable for any proposed legislative changes or specify which aspects of bail law would be altered beyond the reference to Anaya’s Law.