The historic city of Atlanta, Georgia was once again marred by senseless violence over the weekend as a shooting during homecoming weekend at Tuskegee University in Alabama left one person dead and 16 others injured, including 12 by gunfire. The incident has left the entire community shocked and grieving, but also determined to come together and support each other during this difficult time.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has confirmed that 25-year-old Jaquez Myrick of Montgomery has been taken into custody as a suspect in the shooting. He was found with a handgun that had been converted into a machine gun, leading to a federal charge of possession of a machine gun. It is not yet known if Myrick was a student at the university, where the shooting occurred during the school’s 100th Homecoming Week.
The tragic incident has left one 18-year-old man dead, who was not a student, and has also injured several students. The injured have been taken to local hospitals for treatment while the FBI has joined the investigation and is seeking any tips or video footage from witnesses. In the wake of this tragedy, classes at Tuskegee University have been cancelled for Monday and grief counselors will be available for students in need.
The parents of the victim have been notified and the university has released a statement expressing their deep condolences and support for those affected by the shooting. An autopsy for the victim has been scheduled while the injured are being treated at local hospitals in Opelika and Montgomery.
According to Tuskegee city’s police chief Patrick Mardis, the injured included a female student who had been shot in the stomach and a male student who had been shot in the arm. The police were responding to an unrelated shooting off campus when they received the call about the university shooting, highlighting the chaotic and dangerous situation that unfolded.
Mardis also described the scene as chaotic with many people present, making it difficult for emergency vehicles to reach the location. The police chief said that “some idiots started shooting” and his frustration is shared by the entire community who are heartbroken by the senseless violence that has taken place.
In his 37 years as coroner, Bentley said he couldn’t recall any shootings during the school’s past homecoming celebrations. The small town of Tuskegee, with a population of 9,000, is reeling from this tragic incident and the mood is somber as the community comes to terms with what has happened.
Amare’ Hardee, a senior and president of the student government association, spoke at the university’s homecoming convocation on Sunday morning, expressing the shared sense of loss and grief among the students and faculty. He emphasized that this senseless act of violence has touched everyone, directly or indirectly, and called for unity and support during this difficult time.
Rev. James Quincy III, a pastor who leads the Tuskegee National Alumni Association, also spoke at the convocation and reminded everyone of the fragility of life. He urged the community to rely on their faith and trust in God to find resilience in the face of trouble. He also offered prayers for healing and justice for those impacted by the shooting.
Miles College, the opponent for Tuskegee’s homecoming football game on Saturday, released a statement expressing their sympathy and support for the Tuskegee family. They offered their deepest condolences to those affected by the tragedy and vowed to stand with them during this difficult time.
This is not the first time that Tuskegee University has been struck by violence, as just over a year ago four people were injured in a shooting at a student housing complex. The university has a long and proud history as the first historically Black college to be designated as a Registered National Landmark and a National Historic Site. The school’s chairwoman of the board of trustees, Norma Clayton, spoke at the Sunday morning service, reassuring the community that they will get through this together because “in tough times, tough people band together and they survive.”
As we mourn the loss of life and pray for the injured, let us also remember the strength and resilience of the Tuskegee community. Let us come together and support each other in the face of tragedy, and let us work towards a future where incidents like this become a thing of the past. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tuskegee University and the entire community during this difficult time.
