Teen killed in Tuskegee University homecoming shooting died saving girl’s life, family says: ‘He’s a hero’
The parents of a teen killed in the weekend mass shooting at Tuskegee University said their son died a hero.
La’Tavion Johnson, 18, died in a hail of gunfire early Sunday that also left 16 others wounded.
“On one of the videos, a girl said he pushed her out of the way, and that’s when he got shot’’ said the victim’s father, Larry Johnson. “She made a post that someone saved her life, and he lost his life.”
“He’s a hero in his own way,’’ Larry Johnson said.
The gunfire erupted just after 1:30 a.m. Sunday at West Commons on-campus apartments.
The shooting came as Tuskegee’s 100th Homecoming Week was winding down. Its football team that Saturday had played Fairfield-based HBCU Miles College.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Lt. Jeremy Burkett said of the 16 injured, 12 of those were shot. They were taken to hospitals in Montgomery and Lee County.
According to Burkett, four others sustained injuries during the ensuing chaos.
Emergency responders, along with campus and local law enforcement, secured the scene. The State Bureau of Investigations is conducting an investigation.
Multiple videos posted to social media showed Sunday morning’s chaos on campus.
As of now, no one has been charged in connection with La’Tavion Johnson’s death or the injuries to the 16 other people.
On Sunday, 25-year-old Jaquez Myrick, of Montgomery, was arrested for being in possession of a handgun with a machine gun conversion device. Authorities said Myrick was found leaving the scene of the shooting and charged federally with possession of a machine gun.
Tuskegee University canceled all classes on Monday and said grief counselors would be available in the chapel.
La’Tavion Johnson graduated from Charles Henderson High School in Troy.
“He was energetic,’’ Larry Johnson said. “In so many ways, he was shy until he got to know you and then he was life of any party.”
“He was an 18-year-old full of energy,’’ he said. “He loved to play out outside. He was country.”
La’tavion Johnson worked at Piggly Wiggly right after graduation, and also worked on a family member’s farm.
He was set to begin a new job next week with the Alabama Department of Transportation in Troy.
Larry Johnson and his wife, Tamika, were asleep early Sunday when they received a phone call from someone telling them their son had been shot. They didn’t believe it at first, and then got a second call from a friend.
“They said it is him and he’s laying on the ground,’’ Larry Johnson said. “They said we needed to get to Tuskegee.”
They rushed to Tuskegee University.
“We were standing right there by the body, and we didn’t even realize it because we were looking up,’’ Larry Johnson said. “They started roping the crime scene off and they were pushing me out of the way.”
Larry Johnson made his way to his son, whose body was covered.
“I didn’t uncover him, but I saw his shoes, and that’s what made me realize it was him,’’ he said. “It was hard.”
Larry Johnson said he talked with his son Friday at the home of his mother, who was LaTavion Johnson’s grandmother.
Larry Johnson grabbed a Gatorade from the refrigerator, and his son teased him that the drink would cost him $2.
Tamika Johnson saw her son Saturday morning when he went to their home to pick up some medicine for his nephew.
The Johnsons said they usually knew their son’s plans, but did not know he was going to Tuskegee for the homecoming festivities. His grandmother knew he was going.
“I usually call him and tell him to be safe,’’ he said. “Only my mama knew this time.”
Larry Johnson said the gun violence that took his son’s life is senseless.
“I’m going to see if I can talk to some preachers and get a Stop the Violence Rally going,’’ he said. “We need to get rid of these guns because it’s getting ridiculous.”
The Johnsons lost another child, a daughter, to a car wreck less than two years ago. They are now raising her child.
La’Tavion’s parents said they will remember their son for his laugh and his jokes.
“It hurts,’’ Larry Johnson said.
“He will be greatly missed,‘’ his mother said.
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