Deadly Shooting at Tuskegee University Homecoming Leaves 1 Dead, 16 Injured; Investigation Underway

TUSKEGEE, AL — A shooting early Sunday morning has left one person dead and at least 16 injured at Tuskegee University, casting a shadow over the university’s 100th homecoming celebration. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) began investigating the tragic incident after being called in by the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities report that the shooting occurred around 1:40 a.m. near the West Commons apartment complex on campus.

Officials have confirmed that 18-year-old Latavion Johnson, who was not affiliated with Tuskegee University, died at the scene. Twelve other victims sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to hospitals in Montgomery and Lee counties. Four additional people suffered injuries not related to gunfire as they attempted to escape the scene. Videos circulated on social media reveal the chaos, with dozens of shots ringing out, sending students and attendees scrambling for cover.

The incident unfolded amid the excitement of Tuskegee’s homecoming, a significant event for the historically Black university. With large crowds gathered, emergency responders faced challenges navigating the campus. Tuskegee Police Chief Jennifer Mardis noted the difficulties in accessing the area, stating, “There were so many people there; you couldn’t get the emergency vehicles in.” Two Tuskegee students were among the injured: a female student shot in the abdomen and a male student wounded in the arm.

The State Bureau of Investigation has been working on-site, collecting evidence and analyzing the scene. Despite their efforts, no arrests have been made, and a motive for the shooting has yet to be determined. Tuskegee Police Chief Mardis expressed a sense of foreboding about the tragedy, noting the prevalence of gun violence incidents at campuses nationwide.

As the campus community processes the shock of the incident, Tuskegee University leaders have offered words of encouragement. During a Sunday convocation, Student Government Association President Amare’ Hardee addressed the emotional toll of the event, describing it as a “senseless act of violence” that had deeply affected the campus. Board of Trustees Chair Norma B. Clayton called for resilience, emphasizing that “Tuskegee has survived for 143 years, and we will continue to survive.”

Messages of support have come in from nearby institutions, including Miles College, which extended condolences to the Tuskegee community. The university has canceled classes for Monday, November 11, to allow law enforcement to complete their investigation and to provide students with access to grief counseling services at the campus chapel.

ALEA is urging anyone with information to assist in the investigation by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting digital evidence to fbi.gov/tuskegeeshooting24. As the investigation continues, officials have pledged to provide updates as new information emerges.