Crime
Victim killed in Tuskegee University Homecoming shooting identified as Latavion Johnson
In video clips circulated on social media, the rapid sounds of shots echo while people react in panic.
On Sunday, November 10, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), responding to a request from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, began an investigation into a tragic shooting at Tuskegee University. Around 1:40 a.m., Special Agents received reports of multiple gunshot victims on campus.
The violence unfolded just hours after the historically Black university’s 100th homecoming celebration.
Macon County Coroner Hal Bentley has identified the deceased teenager as Latavion Johnson, a resident of Troy who was not enrolled at Tuskegee University.
According to officials, Johnson, who was not associated with Tuskegee University, died from his injuries.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Lt. Jeremy Burkett reported that the incident occurred around 1:40 a.m., with dozens of shots ringing out near the West Commons apartment complex.
A total of 16 individuals were injured in the incident: twelve sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to hospitals in Montgomery and Lee counties, while four others experienced non-gunfire-related injuries.
The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has since been on-site, working diligently to collect and analyze evidence, while local and campus law enforcement secured the area and assisted emergency responders.
Witnesses at the scene described a chaotic moment when gunfire broke out, sending students and bystanders scrambling for cover behind vehicles and crouching to avoid stray bullets.
In video clips circulated on social media, the rapid sounds of shots echo while people react in panic.
Tuskegee city Police Chief Jennifer Mardis noted that campus access was particularly challenging for emergency responders due to the large crowds, emphasizing that “there were so many people there; you couldn’t get the emergency vehicles in.”
Tuskegee Police Chief Mardis, a former university campus police chief himself, stated that he had always feared such a tragedy on campus, saying, “You see it happen everywhere. It’s happened everywhere else but us.”
He later disclosed that a female student was wounded in her abdomen, while a male student sustained a gunshot wound to the arm. Authorities are actively investigating the incident, though no arrests have yet been made, and the motive remains unclear.
Tuskegee University leaders and students are grappling with the incident. During a somber convocation service on Sunday morning, Student Government Association President Amare’ Hardee spoke to the emotional toll the shooting had taken on the campus.
“Our gathering is shadowed by a heartbreaking event…this senseless act of violence has touched each of us,” he said, expressing sympathy for the victims and their families. Board of Trustees Chair Norma B. Clayton echoed these sentiments, encouraging unity and resilience within the Tuskegee community: “In tough times, tough people band together and survive. We’ve been surviving for 143 years, and I think we can continue to survive even more.”
The university has received messages of support, including from nearby Miles College, who extended their condolences to Tuskegee students, faculty, and staff during this tragic time.
ALEA is appealing to the public for assistance with the investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI, and digital evidence can be uploaded directly at fbi.gov/tuskegeeshooting24.
Tuskegee University has canceled all classes scheduled for Monday, November 11, to allow law enforcement to continue processing the scene. Grief counseling services will be available for students at the campus chapel.
The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available.
Crime
17-Year-Old Javohn Pitts Critically Injured in Accidental Shooting During FaceTime Call in Elsmere, Kentucky
A 17-year-old teenager, identified as Javohn Pitts, remains in critical condition after being shot in the head during an incident involving a handgun at a residence in Elsmere, Kentucky, on Saturday. Police say the shooting appears to have occurred while two juveniles were showing the firearm to others during a FaceTime call.
The incident prompted an emergency response in Northern Kentucky and left the teenager with potentially life-threatening injuries. He was transported by helicopter to a Cincinnati hospital, where he continues to receive medical treatment.
According to the Elsmere Police Department, officers were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 100 block of Garvey Avenue early Saturday afternoon.
When first responders arrived, they found Javohn Pitts suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, emergency personnel arranged for him to be airlifted to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Pitts remains hospitalized in critical condition, according to the information provided by police. Authorities have not released further details about his medical condition or prognosis.
During their investigation, police recovered a 9mm handgun from the residence.
Investigators believe the shooting happened while Pitts and another juvenile, who was acquainted with him, were displaying the handgun to other people during a FaceTime call. At some point during the incident, the firearm discharged, striking Pitts in the head.
Although the incident is being described as an apparent accidental shooting, authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the discharge and the events leading up to it.
A juvenile suspect was subsequently arrested in connection with the incident. Police reported that the suspect was acquainted with Pitts and has been charged with second-degree assault with a deadly weapon.
Because the individual is a juvenile, authorities have not publicly released the suspect’s identity.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information about the incident may be released as authorities continue reviewing the evidence.
Police are asking anyone who may have information about the shooting to contact the Kenton County Emergency Communication Center at 859-356-3191 or the Elsmere Police Department at 859-474-4785.
Information from witnesses or anyone familiar with the circumstances may help investigators establish a clearer account of what happened inside the Garvey Avenue residence.
At just 17 years old, Javohn Pitts is facing a serious medical battle following the shooting. His critical condition has left those who care about him hoping for positive news as he receives treatment.
The incident is also a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with handling firearms, particularly when a weapon is displayed or handled without proper safety precautions. A firearm can discharge unexpectedly, with consequences that may permanently change lives.
As the investigation continues, thoughts remain with Javohn Pitts, his family, and everyone hoping for his recovery. May he receive the care and support he needs during this difficult time.