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Arrest after Tuskegee University shooting kills 1, injures 16
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Arrest after Tuskegee University shooting kills 1, injures 16

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (WSFA) – An arrest has been made after a shooting on the Tuskegee University campus left one person dead and 16 others injured, according to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Tuskegee University President Dr. Mark A. Brown and other local leaders spoke on Monday about changes to campus security procedures.

Jaquez Myrick, 25, of Montgomery, was arrested and charged federally with possession of a machine gun. Authorities say Myrick was found in possession of a handgun with a machine gun conversion device.

Jaquez Myrick, 25, of Montgomery, is being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center on…
Jaquez Myrick, 25, of Montgomery, is being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center in connection with a mass shooting early Sunday morning at Tuskegee University.(Source: Montgomery County Detention Center)

He is not charged with firing or using the gun in the shootings.

Law enforcement found him leaving the scene of the shooting, ALEA confirmed Sunday afternoon. Myrick is being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center for another agency, a sheriff’s office spokesman said.

Macon County Sheriff André Brunson said he believes there are multiple suspects in the shooting.

“If you saw some of the videos, there was footage all over the place. So, I think there will be more suspects,” he said. “We’re going to deal with it and try to get every last one of them.”

Agents with ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation were notified of the shooting around 1:40 a.m. Sunday.

Authorities say an 18-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. Macon County authorities identified him as Latavion Johnson. He graduated from Charles Henderson High School in Troy.

Latavion Johnson was shot and killed in a mass shooting on the campus of Tuskegee University on…
Latavion Johnson was shot and killed in a mass shooting on the campus of Tuskegee University on November 10, 2024.(Source: Tamika Johnson, Latavion’s mother)

University officials said Johnson was not a student at Tuskegee University.

In total, 16 other people were injured in the incident. 12 were shot and taken to hospitals in Montgomery and Opelika. Four other people suffered injuries unrelated to the gunfire.

Tuskegee University announced that all classes on Monday and Tuesday will be canceled for mental health days and to allow law enforcement to continue processing the scene. Grief counselors will be available virtually and in person in the chapel.

ALEA is asking for the public’s help in this case. Anyone with information is asked to send tips to 1-800-CALL-FBI and upload any digital files regarding the incident online to fbi.gov/tuskegeeshooting24.

The following agencies are assisting ALEA in the investigation: Tuskegee University Police Department, Tuskegee Police Department, Macon County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Mobile Bureau, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fifth Judicial Circuit and U.S. Attorney Alabama. Office of the General.

An Alabama State University student at Montgomery attended Tuskegee University homecoming to support a friend.

The private university, located in Macon County, about 40 miles from Alabama’s capital, celebrated its 100th homecoming on Saturday.

Reaction

Miles College, which Tuskegee played in its homecoming football game, released a statement Sunday. Several state officials and lawmakers also reacted to the shooting.

Shomari 2nd District Congressman-Elect Figures:

Rep. of State Phillip Ensler:

Alabama Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton:

No further details have been released as the investigation continues.

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