What happened
A chaotic homecoming night in Leland, Mississippi, ended in tragedy when gunfire broke out downtown after a high school football game. Six people were killed and more than a dozen others were hurt. The scene the next day — abandoned shoes and blood on the pavement — left neighbors shaken.
Who was arrested
The FBI said Monday that four people have been taken into custody in connection with the shooting. Three individuals — Teviyon L. Powell, 29; William Bryant, 29; and Morgan Lattimore, 25 — face capital murder charges. A fourth person, Latoya A. Powell, 44, was charged with attempted murder. Officials say more arrests may be coming as the investigation continues.
Investigation details and motive
Authorities have not announced a clear motive. The FBI indicated the violence appeared to have started after a dispute among several people, but investigators are still piecing events together. At this stage they haven’t confirmed whether the arrested individuals have legal representation.
Eyewitnesses and the scene
People who were there described a shocking and bloody scene. One witness said they saw multiple victims on the ground and that the aftermath was the worst they had ever experienced. Four of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Other shootings across Mississippi that weekend
Tragic incidents weren’t limited to Leland. In Heidelberg, about 85 miles southeast of Jackson, two people — including a pregnant woman — were found dead on a high school campus the same night. Authorities arrested an 18-year-old in that case on murder and weapons charges.
On Saturday, three people with gunshot wounds were discovered at Alcorn State University’s Claiborne County campus; one of them later died. Police said shots were reported near the industrial technology building after a large crowd attended the school’s homecoming game. No arrests were immediately announced in that incident.
Jackson also saw a shooting in a stadium tailgating area where a juvenile was struck in the abdomen and taken to a hospital. Details and arrests were not immediately available.
Context and closing thoughts
Authorities and community leaders are grappling with a string of violent events across the state during homecoming weekend. According to a national database that tracks mass killings, the Leland shooting was among the year’s deadliest incidents so far. Investigators continue to follow leads, and families of victims are waiting for answers as arrests and charges move through the legal process.
