Tragedy Strikes During Homecoming at Tuskegee University: One Dead, 16 Injured

A shooting early Sunday during homecoming weekend at Tuskegee University in Alabama left one person dead and 16 others injured, 12 of whom were wounded by gunfire. Authorities reported an arrest hours after the incident, casting a shadow over the university’s 100th homecoming celebrations.

Arrest and Investigation

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported that Jaquez Myrick, 25, from Montgomery, was arrested while leaving the scene. Myrick was reportedly found in possession of a handgun equipped with a machine gun conversion device. He now faces a federal charge of possession of a machine gun, although authorities have not confirmed if this weapon was used in the attack.

Impact on Students and Community

Authorities confirmed that the 18-year-old victim who died was not a Tuskegee student, though some of the injured were students. The university canceled Monday classes, providing grief counselors for students needing support.

The 12 people wounded by gunfire and four others injured in the chaos were taken to East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika and Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery. Their conditions remain undisclosed. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have joined the investigation, urging witnesses to submit any relevant video footage.

Emergency Response Complications

The chaotic event unfolded as Tuskegee city police were responding to a separate shooting off-campus. The response to the campus incident was delayed due to the large crowd, making it difficult for emergency vehicles to reach the scene. Tuskegee City Police Chief Patrick Mardis described the situation, stating, “Some idiots started shooting,” and highlighting the obstacles emergency responders faced.

Community Shaken by Violence

The incident has deeply impacted the close-knit Tuskegee community, a small town of about 9,000 residents. Macon County Coroner Hal Bentley, who has served for 37 years, stated that he had never witnessed such violence during a homecoming event.

“This senseless act of violence has touched each of us, whether directly or indirectly,” said Amare’ Hardee, president of the student government association, during a Sunday morning convocation. Reverend James Quincy III, a Tuskegee National Alumni Association pastor, encouraged the community to lean on faith and resilience.

Support from Miles College

Miles College, Tuskegee’s homecoming football game opponent, expressed sympathy, stating, “Our hearts are with the Tuskegee family as they face the tragic aftermath of the recent shooting on campus.” This show of solidarity reminds the university community that they are not alone during this difficult time.

Ongoing Concerns Over Campus Safety

This tragedy follows a similar incident from over a year ago when four people were injured in a shooting at a Tuskegee student housing complex. These incidents underscore a growing concern over campus safety, a pressing issue for universities nationwide.

Tuskegee’s Historic Legacy

Tuskegee University, with an enrollment of about 3,000 students, holds historical significance as the first historically Black college to be designated a Registered National Landmark in 1966. The institution’s legacy emphasizes the need to protect this respected space from future violence. Norma Clayton, chairwoman of the board of trustees, shared a message of unity and hope for healing, saying, “We will get through this together because in tough times, tough people band together, and they survive.”

As the investigation continues, the Tuskegee community mourns in solidarity, holding on to a resilient spirit that reflects the strength of this historic institution.