On November 10, 2024, one person was killed and 16 others were injured in a mass shooting at Tuskegee University. Two people were later arrested, who were in possession of semi-automatic pistols with machine gun conversion devices. The attack occurred on Sunday morning of the university's homecoming weekend.[2][3]
| Tuskegee University shooting | |
|---|---|
 Tuskegee University in 2015 | |
| Location | Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 32°25′59″N 85°42′33″W / 32.43306°N 85.70917°W |
| Date | November 10, 2024 c. 1:40 a.m. (CDT) |
Attack type | School shooting, mass shooting |
| Weapon | Glock AK pistols[1] |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Injured | 16 (12 by gunfire) |
| Victims | 17 |
| Accused | Jaquez Myrick, Jeremiah Williams |
| Charges | Possession of a machine gun |
Background
editThere had been a series of mass shootings associated with homecoming events throughout the country. On October 12, one person was killed and nine others were injured near the campus of Tennessee State University in Nashville following a homecoming football game as crowds left the match when two groups of people opened fire on each other.[4] On October 19, a 19-year-old woman was killed and four others were wounded on the campus of Albany State University in Albany, Georgia during homecoming weekend celebrations.[5] On the same day, three people were killed and eight others were injured on a trail near Lexington, Mississippi during a post-homecoming football game celebration for Holmes County Central High School.[6] On October 26, shots were fired into the air on the campus of North Carolina Central University in Durham during the school's homecoming celebration, which caused a lockdown, and as officers swept the campus for threats another unrelated shooting began in which four people were wounded.[7]
On November 3, during a homecoming party for Oklahoma State University students at an event venue in Stillwater, four people were wounded when at least one person opened fire.[8] On November 9, two people were killed and two others were injured near the University of Louisiana in Lafayette just after a homecoming game.[9]
Shooting
editThe shooting occurred at the end of the University's 100th Homecoming weekend at the West Commons on-campus apartments during a party at around 1:40 a.m. on November 10 when multiple gunmen inside of a Dodge Charger shot several rounds of ammunition at people before exiting and continuing to open fire.[10] Video of the shooting posted later to social media shows people ducking for cover in a parking lot as shots are heard, and an eyewitness stated he crawled under his car and then ran to his dorm.[11][12]
An 18-year-old male, La'Tavion Johnson, who was not affiliated with the university was killed, and 16 others were injured, one critically.[13] Four of the injuries were not gunshot-related.[3] Victims were transported to and treated at the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika and the Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery.[10]
Suspects
editTwo suspects, 25-year-old Jaquez Myrick of Montgomery, Alabama, and Jeremiah Williams, were arrested and charged federally with possession of a machine gun. Law enforcement officers found them leaving the scene of the shooting at the time of their arrests.[14][15]
The modified device they had for the weapons were Glock switches, and Myrick admitted to firing the weapon, but denied aiming at anyone.[16]
Aftermath
editThe university canceled classes on Monday, November 11, and announced grief counselors would be available to students.[3] The campus was closed after the shooting, with students and faculty having to wear their ID's while on campus. The university also fired the campus security chief and a new security chief will conduct a review of the shooting.[12]
A funeral for Johnson was held on November 23.[17]
Responses
editThe Tuskegee police chief Patrick Mardis, stated that "Some idiots started shooting."[3]
Johnson's parents sued Tuskegee University, Myrick, the former security chief and others.[18]
References
edit- ^ "Man jailed in Tuskegee University shooting says he fired gun, but denies shooting anyone". abc3340.com. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ Bowman, Emma (November 10, 2024). "Arrest made in Tuskegee University shooting that left 1 dead, 16 injured". NPR. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Martin, Jeff (November 10, 2024). "A person is dead and 16 are hurt after a shooting at Tuskegee University; 1 arrest made". AP News. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ Guerry, Colleen (October 12, 2024). "1 dead, at least 9 injured after shooting reported near TSU during homecoming". WKRN-TV. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Atlanta 19-year-old identified as victim in deadly shooting at Albany State University homecoming". WANF. October 19, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Cameron; Howell, Kaitlin; Banks, Delesha (October 19, 2024). "3 killed, 8 injured during Mississippi trail ride shooting". WJTV. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Atlanta 19-year-old identified as victim in deadly shooting at Albany State University homecoming". WANF. October 19, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ Ward, Amaya (November 4, 2024). "Investigation underway after homecoming party shooting in Stillwater". KFOR-TV. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ Jimenez, Gabby (November 10, 2024). "Lafayette police identify 2 killed in shooting near UL's campus that injured 2 others". The Acadiana Advocate. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Riddle, Safiyah (November 11, 2024). "Gunshots at Tuskegee University sent terrified students running for their lives". Associated Press. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ Afshar, Paradise; Boyette, Chris; Watson, Michelle (November 10, 2024). "Arrest made in shooting at Alabama's Tuskegee University that killed 1, injured 16 during homecoming week". CNN. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Riddle, Safiyah (November 11, 2024). "Gunshots at Tuskegee University sent terrified students running for their lives". AP News. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ Gladden, Alex (November 13, 2024). "Fundraiser launched for family of 18-year-old Tuskegee homecoming shooting victim". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Bowman, Emma (November 10, 2024). "Montgomery man charged in connection of the Tuskegee University shooting that left 1 dead and 16 injured". WSFA. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ Owen, Emma (November 19, 2024). "Second man charged with possession of a machine gun after mass shooting at Tuskegee University". WTVM13. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Rocha, Alander (November 13, 2024). "Affidavit: Man charged in connection with Tuskegee shooting says he fired gun, didn't aim at anyone • Alabama Reflector". Alabama Reflector. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ "Funeral held for Tuskegee University shooting victim". WSFA. November 23, 2024. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Conlon, Riley (November 19, 2024). "Parents of teen killed in mass shooting at Tuskegee University suing school and suspect". WTVM13. Retrieved December 15, 2024.