Alabama shooting: Phil Dowdell died saving sister's life

A teenager who was among four people killed in a mass shooting at a 16th birthday party in Alabama died saving his sister's life, say family.

Phil Dowdell, 18, pushed the birthday girl, Alexis Dowdell, to the ground as gunfire erupted during the celebration at a dance studio in the community of Dadeville.

"The last thing I told him was to stay strong," Alexis told the BBC.

Twenty-eight other people were injured in Saturday night's attack.

Phil had been planning to leave the bash and went to speak to his sister when he heard someone had a gun, his sister said.

Phil pushed Alexis down to ground as gunfire erupted, sparing her from being hit, she said.

Her dying brother was not able to talk, but he opened his eyes and raised his eyebrows, Alexis said.

Alexis and her mother, LaTonya Allen, told the BBC they did not know what led to the shooting.

Police have yet to name a suspect or a motive.

Ms Allen said before the shooting started she heard rumours that someone at the party had a gun.

So she turned on the lights and went to the DJ both and spoke into the microphone, asking whoever had a firearm to leave the party.

When no-one spoke up, she turned the lights back off, she said.

Shortly afterwards, chaos unfolded in the studio, Alexis said.

"All of a sudden you hear gunshots and you just see everybody running towards the door and people falling and screaming," she said.