A shooting at Tuskegee University in Alabama early Sunday killed one person and injured more than a dozen others, according to authorities and the university. The incident occurred as the historically Black university celebrated the conclusion of its 100th homecoming week.
The person who died was not a student at Tuskegee University, according to a statement received by CBS News. The deceased’s parents have been notified. According to police, the shooting victim was 18 years old.
The victim, 18-year-old La’Tavion Johnson, was identified by the Macon County coroner to CBS News.
Twelve persons were injured in the incident, including Tuskegee University students, and were treated at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika and Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery. According to officials, four other people were injured in the event, but not by gunshot.
According to the university, emergency responders helped secure the scene with the assistance of campus authorities and local law enforcement. The Alabama State Bureau of Investigation has begun an investigation into the incident, which is still ongoing.
“The university is in the process of finalizing student accountability and alerting parents. “More information will be provided as it becomes available,” the institution added.
Jaquez Myrick, 25, was detained and charged with possessing a machine gun, according to a news release issued Sunday evening by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. According to the FBI, Myrick left the shooting scene carrying “a handgun with a machine gun conversion device.” ALEA did not confirm whether Myrick was the shooter.
“At approximately 1:40 a.m., Special Agents received notification of multiple individuals shot on the campus of Tuskegee University,” the agency said in a previous statement, noting that they were likewise “still in the process of gathering and examining information relative to the sequence of events which ultimately led to the shooting.”
The university stated on Sunday afternoon that classes would be postponed on Monday “to ensure the officers and their law enforcement partners can continue the investigation as easily as possible.”
“The administration joins the students in mourning the event after such a joyous weekend and will provide grief counselors on Monday in the chapel for students who would like to come together to discuss what has happened,” says a letter from Tuskegee University to the community.
“Students should not hesitate to reach out for help through the Student Health Center if they choose to do so privately.”
Reference: 1 killed, 16 injured in shooting at Tuskegee University in Alabama