On the night of Friday, October 10, 2025, a series of shootings shattered the sense of celebration in three Mississippi communities, leaving at least eight people dead and more than a dozen injured. The violence, which erupted during and after high school homecoming events in Leland, Heidelberg, and Rolling Fork, has sent shockwaves through the state and prompted urgent calls for answers—and unity—from officials and residents alike.
The deadliest incident unfolded in Leland, a small city in the Mississippi Delta with a population just shy of 4,000, according to Data USA. After Leland High School’s homecoming football game against Charleston High School, crowds spilled onto Main Street for post-game festivities. It was there, amid the celebration, that gunfire erupted around midnight, turning a night of community pride into one of horror.
Washington County Coroner LaQuesha Watkins confirmed on Saturday morning that four people were declared dead at the scene: 41-year-old Oreshama Johnson, 19-year-old Calvin Plant, 25-year-old Shelbyona Powell, and 18-year-old Kaslyn Johnson. Two more, 18-year-old Amos Brantley Jr. and 34-year-old JaMichael Jones, succumbed to their injuries later in the hospital, bringing the total number of fatalities in Leland to six. Watkins urged patience from the community as authorities worked through the investigation, stating, “We ask that the community please remain patient with the coroner’s office and other investigating agencies, as we work to gather all the facts surrounding this investigation. Additionally, we ask that you pray for and respect the family as they navigate through this difficult time.” (WLBT)
The scale of the violence was staggering. Leland Mayor John Lee told The Guardian that at least 16 people were wounded in the shooting, with four in critical condition airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson and 12 others treated at local hospitals. “I just want to send our condolences to the families of the deceased and to all those who are being treated,” Lee said. “We need to be in prayer for our city.” (The Guardian)
As of Saturday afternoon, no suspects had been named or were in custody in connection with the Leland shooting, though the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and FBI Jackson Division were leading the inquiry. Marshay Lawson, Public Affairs Officer with the FBI Jackson Division, emphasized the importance of community cooperation: “We want to sincerely express our condolences to the victims of this shooting, their families, and this entire community. Any piece of information could be crucial.” (WLBT)
Roughly 200 miles southeast, tragedy struck again during Heidelberg High School’s own homecoming weekend. Police reported that two people were killed on the school’s campus, one of whom was an expectant mother, according to a statement from Governor Tate Reeves. One victim was found on the baseball field, while another died in a tailgating area near the bleachers. At least one other person was injured in the chaos. Multiple agencies—including the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Heidelberg Police Department, and Bay Springs Police Department—responded to the scene.
Heidelberg Police Chief Cornell White told The Associated Press that details about the victims’ identities and whether they were students remained undisclosed as of Saturday morning. “Right now we’ve still got a subject at large, but I can’t give specifics,” White said. (AP) By the following morning, however, authorities had taken Tylar Jarod Goodloe, 18, into custody just south of Bay Springs in Jasper County after citizens provided tips about his whereabouts. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office released a mugshot and confirmed the arrest, noting that Goodloe was taken into custody without incident. (WLBT)
Governor Reeves addressed the state in a Facebook statement, saying, “Our state is praying for the victims and their families, as well as the entire Heidelberg and Leland communities. Those responsible will be brought to justice.” (WLBT) The governor’s words echoed the somber mood felt across Mississippi as residents tried to make sense of a night marked by loss and fear.
Meanwhile, a third shooting took place at South Delta High School in Rolling Fork, about 40 miles south of Leland. Local news outlets reported that two individuals were injured in the incident, which also followed a football event. The Sharkey County Sheriff’s Office announced that two people had been arrested and charged in connection with the Rolling Fork shooting. Details about the victims and their conditions had not been fully disclosed as of Saturday. (The Guardian, WLBT)
Throughout the weekend, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation remained involved in all three cases, working alongside local law enforcement to piece together what happened. Officials had not yet released potential motives for any of the shootings by Saturday, leaving communities grappling with unanswered questions and heightened anxiety.
The violence has sparked renewed debates over gun safety, youth violence, and the security of public events in Mississippi. While some community members have called for increased law enforcement presence at school functions, others are urging a broader examination of the social and economic factors that can lead to such tragedies. The Mississippi Free Press, which has devoted years to reporting on evidence-based strategies to prevent violence among young people, encouraged readers to visit its “Preventing Violence” microsite for resources and solutions-focused journalism.
For now, the focus remains on the victims and their families. The outpouring of grief and solidarity has been palpable, with officials and residents alike expressing condolences and support. Mayor John Lee’s call for prayer and unity in Leland was echoed by leaders in Heidelberg and Rolling Fork, who emphasized the resilience of their communities even in the face of heartbreak.
As investigations continue and more details emerge, authorities are urging anyone with information about the shootings to come forward. The FBI has set up a tip line and online portal, reminding the public that even small pieces of information could prove vital to bringing those responsible to justice.
In the days ahead, Mississippi’s affected towns will be forced to reckon with the aftermath of a night that began with celebration and ended in tragedy. The hope, expressed by many, is that this painful chapter will galvanize efforts to prevent future violence and foster a renewed sense of community across the state.
