Suspect Arrested in Tuskegee University Shooting That Left One Dead, 16 Injured

TUSKEGEE, AL — A suspect has been arrested following a deadly shooting on the campus of Tuskegee University early Sunday morning that left one person dead and 16 others injured, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Authorities identified 25-year-old Jaquez Myrick, a Montgomery resident, as the suspect. Myrick was apprehended at the scene, allegedly in possession of a handgun modified with a machine gun conversion device, which led to federal charges of possession of a machine gun.

The shooting took place around 1:40 a.m., with ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation responding to reports of gunfire on campus. Tragically, 18-year-old Latavion Johnson, who was not a Tuskegee University student, was killed. Johnson’s family has been notified, and condolences have poured in from both university officials and the broader community.

Alongside the fatality, 16 other people were injured during the incident. Twelve of these individuals sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to hospitals in Montgomery and Lee counties, where they are receiving medical treatment. Four others were injured in non-gunfire-related incidents. The university confirmed that some of the injured individuals are Tuskegee students, and they are being treated at East Alabama Medical Center and Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery.

Tuskegee University officials swiftly responded to the tragedy, canceling all classes scheduled for Monday, November 11, to allow law enforcement to continue their investigation and to process the scene. The university is providing grief counseling services for students in the campus chapel. In an official statement, the university extended its deepest condolences to Johnson’s family and pledged to support affected students and families during this difficult time.

The Alabama Bureau of Investigations and campus police are actively investigating the shooting, and ALEA has called for public assistance, urging anyone with information about the incident to submit tips. Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or by uploading digital evidence to the FBI’s online portal at fbi.gov/tuskegeeshooting24. This tragedy follows Tuskegee University’s 100th homecoming celebrations, though it is unclear whether the shooting was related to the event.

Support and condolences have also come from nearby institutions, including Miles College, which offered sympathy and solidarity with the Tuskegee community. Located in Macon County, about 40 miles from Alabama’s capital of Montgomery, Tuskegee University now joins a growing list of campuses nationwide grappling with the impact of gun violence, especially during otherwise celebratory events.