TUSKEGEE, AL – An early Sunday morning shooting on the campus of Tuskegee University has left the local community devastated, claiming the life of a young man and injuring 16 others. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) confirmed the arrest of 25-year-old Jaquez Myrick, a resident of Montgomery, in connection with the tragic incident. Myrick faces serious charges, including federal accusations for possession of a machine gun, as authorities report he was found with a handgun modified to function as such.
The incident unfolded around 1:40 a.m., bringing ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation to the Tuskegee campus after alarming reports of gunfire shattered the early hours of the weekend. In the aftermath, authorities identified 18-year-old Latavion Johnson, who tragically lost his life in the shooting. Johnson, a young man not enrolled at Tuskegee University, became the sole fatality of an incident that has shaken the Tuskegee community and drawn condolences from university officials and leaders across the state.
Johnson’s family has been notified of his passing, and support has poured in from all corners. Tuskegee University officials issued an official statement extending heartfelt condolences to his family, while pledging ongoing support to affected students and their families. Additionally, the university responded by canceling all scheduled classes on Monday, November 11, allowing for both the continuation of the investigation and time for the community to begin processing the traumatic event.
The ALEA’s investigation revealed that 16 others were injured during the incident, 12 of whom sustained gunshot wounds. The injured individuals were promptly transported to hospitals in Montgomery and Lee counties, where they continue to receive medical care. Some of the injured victims are students at Tuskegee University, and several have been taken to the East Alabama Medical Center and Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery for treatment. University officials have confirmed that four individuals also suffered non-gunfire-related injuries during the incident, highlighting the chaos that ensued on campus.
In response to this tragedy, Tuskegee University has provided grief counseling and support services for students, with sessions available at the campus chapel. This support underscores the administration’s commitment to prioritizing student well-being during a time of sorrow and vulnerability.
ALEA investigators, working alongside campus police, are actively seeking answers as they work to piece together the details surrounding the shooting. In a call to action, ALEA has requested public assistance, urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Authorities have made available both a hotline, 1-800-CALL-FBI, and an online portal for submitting digital evidence to assist with the investigation.
The shooting, which followed Tuskegee University’s 100th homecoming celebration, raises questions about whether the tragedy was somehow connected to the event. Although authorities have yet to confirm any link, the proximity to such a major celebration underscores the heartache felt by the Tuskegee community and others throughout the region. Homecoming, traditionally a time of joy and reunion, has instead left students, staff, and alumni grappling with an incomprehensible tragedy.
Support from nearby institutions has been swift and heartfelt, with statements of sympathy and solidarity issued from colleges and universities across Alabama. Miles College, another historically Black college, conveyed deep sympathy for Tuskegee’s community, emphasizing the shared struggle against violence in spaces meant for learning and growth. This show of unity speaks to the wider impact of the tragedy and highlights the pervasive challenge of campus gun violence nationwide.
Located in Macon County, just 40 miles east of Alabama’s capital, Tuskegee University is one of the nation’s most revered historically Black institutions, with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1881. Now, it joins the growing list of universities across the country contending with the devastating impacts of gun violence on campus. From Michigan State University to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the epidemic of campus shootings has increasingly prompted universities to strengthen their security measures and advocate for broader, more effective gun control measures to protect students and communities alike.
Myrick, the suspect in this case, has been detained on both state and federal charges, with authorities underscoring the gravity of the allegations against him. His possession of a modified handgun—a weapon altered with a machine gun conversion device—has added a federal dimension to the case, with implications for both the local and broader legal response to such violent crimes on academic grounds. Authorities emphasize the severe legal ramifications of possessing such modified weapons, which elevate the lethality of firearms and contribute to the tragic loss of life in incidents like Sunday’s.
As the investigation continues, Tuskegee University and the local community remain united in their grief and determination to heal. This latest incident reminds us of the urgent need to address campus safety issues and the broader concerns surrounding gun violence that persist across American campuses. The tragedy at Tuskegee, though singular, echoes the pain felt by countless communities nationwide, a testament to the profound impact of gun violence and the resilience of those left behind.
