Crime
25-year-old Jaquez Myrick arrested in connection to Tuskegee University homecoming shooting, victim identified
Officials confirmed that 18-year-old Latavion Johnson, identified as a “non-university individual,” was killed in the shooting.
A suspect has been arrested following a shooting on the campus of Tuskegee University that left one person dead and 16 others injured, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).
Around 1:40 a.m. on Sunday, ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation was alerted to reports of a shooting.
Jaquez Myrick, a 25-year-old from Montgomery, was apprehended at the scene, where authorities found him in possession of a handgun modified with a machine gun conversion device. Myrick has been charged federally with possession of a machine gun.
Officials confirmed that 18-year-old Latavion Johnson, identified as a “non-university individual,” was killed in the shooting.
Johnson’s family has been notified of his death. In addition to Johnson, 16 other people were injured during the incident; 12 sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospitals in Montgomery and Lee counties, while four others were injured in non-gunfire-related incidents.
Tuskegee University released a statement, confirming the incident and extending condolences to the family of the deceased.
They also stated that several injured individuals, including Tuskegee students, are currently receiving treatment at East Alabama Medical Center and Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery.
Campus law enforcement and local authorities have secured the area, and the Alabama Bureau of Investigations is actively investigating the incident. University officials have begun accountability checks and are notifying students’ families.
Tuskegee University has announced the cancellation of all classes on Monday, November 11, to allow for the ongoing investigation and scene processing.
Grief counselors will be available to students in the campus chapel. ALEA has requested public assistance in the investigation, asking anyone with information to submit tips at 1-800-CALL-FBI or upload digital files to the case at fbi.gov/tuskegeeshooting24.
The private institution, located in Macon County, is situated approximately 40 miles from Alabama’s capital, Montgomery.
The shooting follows Tuskegee University’s 100th homecoming celebrations on Saturday; however, it is unclear if the incident was related to these festivities.
Miles College, based in Fairfield, expressed sympathy in a statement on Sunday morning, offering support to the Tuskegee community during this difficult time.
The Jonesboro Police Department has identified the victim in a fatal shooting that occurred on the night of Friday, January 31.
Public Information Specialist Sally Smith confirmed that the victim has been identified as 24-year-old Derrick Johnson of Gilmore, Arkansas.
According to authorities, the incident was first reported at approximately 10:17 p.m. when a call was received regarding an unresponsive individual located in the 100 block of Daybreak Drive.
Responding officers arrived on the scene to find Johnson unresponsive in a parking lot.
Despite life-saving efforts, Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following an initial assessment, the Jonesboro Police Department officially classified the case as a homicide.
The department’s Criminal Investigation Division has taken over the investigation and is actively pursuing leads to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information that could assist in the investigation to come forward.
Individuals can contact the Jonesboro Police Department at 870-935-5657. All tips will be handled with discretion, and anonymous reports are welcome.