An Alabama man was taken into custody after a shooting incident at Tuskegee University during the school’s 100th homecoming celebration. Jaquez Myrick, 25, was apprehended at the scene with a handgun modified with a machine gun conversion device. The shooting occurred early Sunday morning, resulting in one fatality and 16 injuries.
The shooting happened near the West Commons area on the Tuskegee University campus, where a large crowd had gathered for the homecoming festivities. Shots were fired at around 1:40 a.m., causing panic as people scrambled for safety. An 18-year-old named La’Tavion Johnson from Troy, Alabama, tragically lost his life in the incident. It was revealed that Johnson was not a student at Tuskegee University. Additionally, at least 12 individuals were wounded by gunfire, while others suffered injuries in the chaos.
Thonnia Lee, a spokesperson for Tuskegee University, confirmed that several individuals, including students from the university, were injured and are currently being treated at medical facilities in Opelika and Montgomery.
Myrick was arrested shortly after the shooting on a federal charge of possession of a machine gun. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) stated that Myrick was found leaving the scene and was charged with possession of a machine gun. The firearm in question had a machine gun conversion device, which raised concerns among law enforcement officials due to its illegal status under federal law.
The arrest of Myrick has sparked discussions about the need for stricter regulations on such devices. Some lawmakers have renewed efforts to pass state legislation banning the use of machine gun conversion devices to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
State Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, emphasized the importance of both federal and state bans on machine gun conversion devices to ensure the safety of communities. He has reintroduced a bill aimed at prohibiting such devices, hoping it will be considered in the upcoming legislative session.
Community leaders and elected officials have expressed their condolences to the victims and their families, highlighting the devastating impact of gun violence. Congressman-elect Shomari Figures called for collective action to address the issue of gun violence, particularly in communities of color where lives are disproportionately affected.
Tuskegee University has canceled classes to allow students and faculty to process the tragedy. University president Mark Brown led a moment of silence during the Homecoming Convocation to honor the victims and their loved ones.
Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the incident and have urged the public to come forward with any information or digital footage related to the shooting. The Alabama Bureau of Investigations has set up an online portal for tips to assist in the ongoing investigation.
