Tuskegee University Homecoming Week Shooting Leaves 1 Dead, 16 Injured
Shooting Occurs During 100th Homecoming Week
A Homecoming Week shooting at Tuskegee University in Alabama left one person dead and 16 others injured, 12 of them by gunfire, school officials said.
Details of the Shooting
The shooting occurred on campus and happened as the historically Black university’s 100th Homecoming Week was winding down. The victim of the shooting, an 18-year-old male, was not a university student, but some of those who were injured were.
Injuries and Arrest
Twelve people were wounded by gunfire, and four others sustained injuries not related to the gunshots, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said in a Sunday afternoon update. An arrest was announced hours later on Sunday.
Victim’s Autopsy
An autopsy on the person killed was planned at the state’s forensic center in Montgomery, Macon County Coroner Hal Bentley told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Injured Students
The injured included a female student who was shot in the stomach and a male student who was shot in the arm, said the city’s police chief, Patrick Mardis.
Arrest and Charges
Jaquez Myrick, 25, of Montgomery, was taken into custody while leaving the scene of the campus shooting and had been found with a handgun with a machine gun conversion device. The agency said in a statement that Myrick faces a federal charge of possession of a machine gun. It did not accuse him of using the gun in the shooting or provide additional details.
Background and Reaction
About 3,000 students are enrolled at the university about 40 miles east of Alabama’s capital city of Montgomery. The university was the first historically Black college to be designated as a Registered National Landmark in 1966. It was also designated a National Historic Site in 1974, according to the school’s website.
Norma Clayton, chairwoman of the board of the trustees, said at the Sunday morning service that “we will get through this together because in tough times, tough people band together and they survive.”
Conclusion
The shooting serves as a reminder of the importance of campus safety and the need for continued efforts to prevent such incidents. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
FAQs
Q: Where did the shooting occur?
A: The shooting occurred on campus at the West Commons on-campus apartments.
Q: How many people were injured?
A: A total of 16 people were injured, with 12 of them being shot.
Q: What charges does the suspect face?
A: Jaquez Myrick, 25, faces a federal charge of possession of a machine gun.
Q: What is the university’s response to the shooting?
A: University officials have confirmed the shooting and are working with authorities to investigate the incident.
