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.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.