In a harrowing weekend, Mississippi’s homecoming festivities turned tragic as a spate of shootings claimed the lives of at least nine individuals and left numerous others wounded. This unprecedented wave of violence shattered the peace of high school and university campuses, drawing swift action from local and federal authorities.
Unfolding Chaos at Leland High School
The most devastating of these incidents occurred in Leland, where the FBI is now on the hunt for four suspects captured on surveillance footage.
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The chaos erupted after a high school football game, resulting in six fatalities and ten injuries, reports the Clarion Ledger. According to the FBI’s Jackson Field Office, the gunfire was allegedly “sparked by a disagreement among several individuals,” although a clear motive has yet to be disclosed.
The FBI has released images of the suspects, urging anyone with information to contact them via their tip line or through their dedicated digital media submission platform.
Tragedy Strikes Heidelberg High School
Further south at Heidelberg High School, a separate shooting claimed the lives of two individuals, one of whom was a pregnant woman.
This incident led to the arrest of 18-year-old Tylar Jarod Goodloe, who faces charges of illegally possessing a firearm on school premises and two counts of murder. Heidelberg Police Chief Cornell White confirmed that the victims, identified as Chris Newell and Mikeia McCray, were found in different locations on the school grounds.
The school was hosting its homecoming game against Mize at the time of the incident.
Additional Shootings at University Events
The violence continued at South Delta High School, Alcorn State University, and Jackson State University over the weekend.
A shooting tied to a Friday night football game at South Delta High School injured multiple individuals, while separate incidents at the universities resulted in more injuries and an additional fatality.
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Authorities have apprehended suspects in these cases, including Justin Pam and Michael Miles, Jr. in Rolling Fork. This town is still recovering from the aftermath of a devastating EF-4 tornado earlier this year.
The cumulative toll of these shootings is staggering: eight people dead and twelve injured from high school-related events alone, with additional casualties from university-associated violence.
Among the deceased are 41-year-old Oreshama Johnson, 19-year-old Calvin Plant, 25-year-old Shelbyona Powell, and 18-year-old Kaslyn Johnson. Two more victims, Amos Brantley Jr. and JaMichael Jones, succumbed to their injuries at a hospital. Ten others are receiving medical treatment.
