Two teenagers have been arrested and charged with murder after a shooting at a 16th birthday party in Alabama left four dead and 32 wounded.

The suspects, Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough,16, were charged with four counts of reckless murder, a state police spokesperson said.

District Attorney Mike Segrest said the pair would be charged as adults and prosecutors would ask a judge to hold them without bail.

He said four people remain in hospital in critical condition and more charges would be coming.

“We’re going to make sure all those victims have justice, not just the deceased,” he added.

Those killed at the party last Saturday in the city of Dadeville included an up-and-coming American football star, Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell.

The shooting broke out at a party for his sister, Alexis Dowdell. Witnesses said several people began shooting after their mother stopped the party to ask people with guns to leave.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said only shell casings from handguns had been found and there was no evidence a high-powered rifle was used.