Freaknik-style Event in Tiny Town? Deadly Outcome in Alabama

According to the census, the little rural community of Louisville, Alabama, has approximately 600 residents. This is why the sheriff and his investigators were taken aback when they learned that a thousand people had come to town for a party.

Even more astonishing, they had no idea this massive party was going on until the first 911 call arrived.

“I talked to the promoter, and she said she sold wristbands, and she knew how many there were,” said Barbour County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Tracy Reese. “She stated there were around 900 individuals, which is a significant turnout for us. Louisville has fewer than 900 residents.

The small town, originally named and still pronounced “Lewisville,” is rural and usually peaceful, but in June 2023, things changed. Flyers began to circulate in person and on social media about a Freaknik-style block party taking place in a field in Louisville. The party idea was inspired by the renowned Atlanta block parties, which were prominent in the 1980s and 1990s and are now the subject of a documentary.

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Following the publication of the new documentary, the following generation began holding their versions of Freaknik-inspired parties, such as one in Louisville, Alabama. The Barbour County Sheriff was unaware that this was in the works.

But Kenyatta Snell did. She was invited.

“She told me she was going to a Freaknik,” said her mother, Pamela Snell. “That’s what they called in.”

Kenyatta turned 25 in May and wanted to celebrate by hanging out with her pals. So they headed to Barbour County for the party. Her mother expressed her initial concerns.

“She chose to leave. “She made a statement to my coworker saying, ‘There were too many guns out here for me’,” her mother said.

Then she departed. According to her mother, Kenyatta called her at a petrol station around 9:30 that night, saying she was on her way home. This would be her last call to her mother.

She then discovered that the girls Kenyatta rode with genuinely wanted to return to the party. So they did. Shortly after they returned to Louisville, shots were fired. The detectives said they found approximately dozens of bullet casings on the spot.

“We scanned the whole property and collected 40 to 50 shell casings,” Lieutenant Reese stated. “Based on where we found the round casings, there were two groups, one on one side and one on the other, and they appeared to be shooting at each other. We still don’t know what triggered it.”

This party is an example of Freaknik-themed parties becoming out of control in Alabama. The police chief in Selma is on administrative leave following several shootings. Selma’s Mayor, James Perkins Jr., revealed at a press conference that shots were fired following a “massive Freaknik-style” celebration.

“People are holding frequent unlawful Freaknik-style street parties within feet of the police station. “There is video evidence,” Perkins explained. “Recently, one such Freaknik party ended with over 100 shots fired.”

Kenyatta Snell’s shooting death in Barbour County is a heartbreaking example of what occurs when such celebrations become out of control. A year after her death, the sheriff is seeking to reform the laws and criteria around parties and licenses.

“The sheriff is going to go before the county commission and request that any party more than 50 people get a permit,” Lieutenant Reese stated, “this way we can supply security and discuss EMS being on standby.”

Kenyatta Snell’s mother, sisters, and small daughter all want improvements and answers.

“I would tell anyone if you are going to a party like this, don’t go, especially if they don’t have proper security,” Pamela Snell stated, “we grieving over here, we want answers because her life shouldn’t be cut short like that.”