An Alabama man has been arrested following a mass taking pictures at Tuskegee College in the course of the college’s one centesimal homecoming celebration. In keeping with Montgomery Advertiser, Jaquez Myrick, 25, was apprehended whereas leaving the scene, allegedly in possession of a handgun modified with a machine gun conversion machine. The incident, which occurred early on Sunday morning, left one particular person lifeless and 16 others injured.
The Incident and Instant Response
The taking pictures befell close to the West Commons space on the Tuskegee College campus, the place massive crowds had gathered for the homecoming festivities. In keeping with CNN, photographs rang out round 1:40 a.m., resulting in panic as folks ran for canopy. Authorities confirmed that an 18-year-old, recognized as La’Tavion Johnson from Troy, Alabama, misplaced his life within the incident. Johnson was not a Tuskegee pupil. As well as, at the very least 12 folks had been injured by gunfire, with others sustaining varied accidents because of the chaos.
Thonnia Lee, a spokeswoman for Tuskegee College, said, “A number of others, together with Tuskegee College college students, had been injured and are receiving therapy at East Alabama Medical Heart in Opelika and Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery.”
Arrest and Prices Towards Myrick
Authorities arrested Myrick shortly after the taking pictures. In keeping with a press release from the Alabama Regulation Enforcement Company (ALEA), Myrick was detained on a federal cost of possession of a machine gun. “Myrick was discovered leaving the scene of the taking pictures that occurred on the campus of Tuskegee College,” the company mentioned. “Myrick was arrested and charged federally with possession of a machine gun.”
The firearm in query reportedly had a machine gun conversion machine, a characteristic that has raised critical issues amongst legislation enforcement officers. “Machine gun conversion gadgets are unlawful beneath federal legislation, and their presence in civilian palms creates an especially harmful scenario,” ALEA Sgt. Jeremy Burkett commented. The arrest has intensified requires stricter rules on such gadgets, with some lawmakers renewing efforts to go state laws banning their use.
Lawmakers and Group Leaders Reply
In response to the incident, State Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, reiterated his dedication to banning machine gun conversion gadgets. “Whereas these are banned federally, we should additionally go a state ban to ship a powerful message that these won’t be tolerated in Alabama,” Ensler mentioned, emphasising the significance of native enforcement. He has re-filed a invoice geared toward prohibiting the gadgets, which he hopes can be thought of within the upcoming legislative session.
Group leaders expressed their grief and frustration over the incident. Congressman-elect Shomari Figures prolonged condolences to the victims and their households, saying, “It is extremely unhappy that households needed to get up this morning with their lives shattered. Gun violence is ripping aside too many communities and taking far too many lives, particularly the lives of younger Black folks. It is a drawback we should deal with collectively.”
College and Regulation Enforcement’s Ongoing Investigation
Tuskegee College has cancelled all classes scheduled for Monday, November 11, to permit college students and school time to course of the tragedy. College president Mark Brown addressed the campus group in the course of the Homecoming Convocation, asking for a second of silence for the victims and their households. “I now ask that you’d be part of me in a short second of silence as we replicate on the misplaced soul and the dad and mom, relations and pals that grieve,” he mentioned.
Regulation enforcement officers are persevering with to research the incident and have requested the general public’s help. The Alabama Bureau of Investigations has requested anybody with info or digital footage associated to the taking pictures to submit ideas by the FBI’s on-line portal.
