Graduation Party Turns Deadly in Mount Vernon: Axis Man Charged With Murder After Fatal Stabbing

Mount Vernon, AL (BuzzReport) — A graduation celebration in rural Mobile County ended in tragedy Saturday night after a violent altercation left one man dead and another behind bars facing a murder charge.

According to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the 2600 block of Coy Smith Highway around 10:45 p.m. on May 9 after receiving reports of an altercation involving shots fired during a graduation party.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered 20-year-old David Sullivan suffering from multiple stab wounds. Emergency responders transported Sullivan to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators say the homeowner had been hosting a graduation party for his son when the gathering began to spiral out of control after several uninvited guests arrived at the residence. Authorities said the homeowner then attempted to shut the party down and asked attendees to leave the property.

As people were leaving the scene, detectives said a fight broke out between Sullivan and 20-year-old Caleb Reed of Axis.

According to investigators, Reed allegedly stabbed Sullivan multiple times during the confrontation before fleeing the area. Deputies later said Reed returned to the scene, where law enforcement officers took him into custody without further incident.

Authorities confirmed Reed has been charged with one count of murder and one count of second-degree assault. He remains in custody at the Mobile County Metro Jail.

The deadly incident has shaken the local community, turning what was meant to be a night of celebration into a devastating scene of violence and loss.

The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses connected to the incident.