1 killed, 16 injured in shooting at Tuskegee University in Alabama
One person was killed and more than a dozen others were injured in a shooting at Tuskegee University in Alabama early Sunday, according to authorities and the school. The incident occurred as the historically Black university celebrated the end of its 100th homecoming week.
The person who died was not affiliated with Tuskegee University, the school said in a statement obtained by CBS News, which noted that the person's parents had been notified. Police said the shooting victim was 18 years old.
The Macon County coroner identified the victim to CBS News as 18-year-old La'Tavion Johnson.
Twelve people, including Tuskegee University students, were wounded in the shooting and were hospitalized at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika and Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery. Four others were injured in the incident but not by gunfire, authorities said.
Emergency responders secured the scene with help from campus authorities and local law enforcement, according to the university. Alabama's State Bureau of Investigation has opened a probe into the shooting, which remains active.
"The university is in the process of completing student accountability and notifying parents. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available," the university said.
Jaquez Myrick, 25, was arrested and charged with possession of a machine gun, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Sunday evening in a news release. The agency said Myrick was leaving the area of the shooting with "a handgun with a machine gun conversion device." ALEA did not say if Myrick was the suspect in the shooting.
"At approximately 1:40 a.m., Special Agents received notification of multiple individuals shot on the campus of Tuskegee University," the agency said in an earlier statement, noting they were "still in the process of gathering and examining information relative to the sequence of events which ultimately led to the shooting."
The university announced Sunday afternoon that classes would be canceled on Monday "to ensure the officers and their law enforcement partners are able to 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," reads a message from the university to the Tuskegee community. "Students should not hesitate to reach out for help through the Student Health Center if they choose to do so privately."
