Crime
Victim killed in shooting at Pascagoula Ingalls Shipbuilding identified as Tahj Johnson
PASCAGOULA, Miss. – Authorities have identified the victim in Friday morning’s fatal workplace shooting at Ingalls Shipbuilding as Tahj Johnson, an employee of the Pascagoula shipyard.
According to Pascagoula Police Chief Terry Scott, the shooting occurred around 7:30 a.m. on August 22, 2025, aboard a vessel that was under construction at the facility. Johnson was fatally shot during the incident, which prompted an immediate lockdown of the shipyard.
The suspected gunman, identified as 25-year-old Curtis James Jr. of Mobile, Alabama, was taken into custody shortly after the shooting.
Police confirmed that both Johnson and James were Ingalls employees.
Chief Scott stated that investigators believe the incident may have stemmed from an earlier altercation between the two men earlier in the week.
The firearm used in the shooting has not yet been recovered.
No additional injuries were reported.
An Ingalls Shipbuilding spokesperson confirmed that an “active shooter” situation was declared and all personnel were instructed to shelter in place until the scene was secured.
Employees were later released from duty for the remainder of the day, with pay. Grief counseling services are being made available to staff.
Law enforcement agencies from across Jackson County responded to assist Pascagoula Police in securing the shipyard.
Officials asked the public to avoid the area while first responders worked to contain the situation.
While rumors have circulated regarding possible related incidents outside the shipyard, police have not confirmed any connection beyond the workplace shooting.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries), is the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi and a primary supplier of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels.
Pascagoula, the seat of Jackson County, has a population of approximately 22,000 residents.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.