The small Mississippi Delta town of Leland, known for its close-knit community and annual homecoming celebrations, has been left reeling after a mass shooting on October 10, 2025, claimed six lives and injured at least 26 others. The tragedy unfolded just after midnight, following a high school football game, turning what should have been a night of joy and reunion into one marked by chaos and heartbreak.
According to the FBI’s Jackson Field Office, nine people have now been arrested in connection with the shooting. Special Agent Robert Eikhoff announced the arrests at a press conference on October 16, though he declined to provide additional details about the new suspects or the charges they face. "We believe there are people who have valuable information who have not yet spoken with law enforcement," Eikhoff said, urging the public to come forward with any tips that might aid the investigation (as reported by the Associated Press and Clarion Ledger).
The aftermath of the shooting was still visible on Main Street days later, with shards of broken glass littering the ground and makeshift memorials—stuffed animals and candles—marking the spot where the violence erupted. The event, held annually in the heart of downtown Leland, is a longstanding tradition where residents gather to celebrate homecoming weekend. "This is not anything that’s happened anywhere close to our community ever before," Mayor John Lee said at the briefing. "Families are still grieving, and they don’t have closure right now. We’re talking about funerals not even prepared yet."
Authorities have identified the six people killed as Oreshama Johnson, 41; Calvin Plant, 19; Shelbyona Powell, 25; Kaslyn Johnson, 18; Amos Brantley Jr., 18; and JaMichael Jones, 34. Two of the injured remain in critical condition, and the total number of people struck by gunfire or otherwise hurt in the melee stands at 26, according to the FBI and local officials. Witness Camish Hopkins, who was present during the shooting, described the scene as "the most horrific I’d ever seen," recalling wounded people bleeding and four victims lying dead on the ground.
In the days since the shooting, authorities have charged several suspects with capital murder. Five of those arrested have been named: Terrogernal S. Martin, 33; Morgan Lattimore, 25; Teviyon L. Powell, 29; William Bryant, 29; and Latoya A. Powell, 44. Martin, who faces a capital murder charge, is being held on a $1 million cash bond. The identities of the other four suspects have not been made public as of October 16.
While the investigation remains ongoing, officials have not disclosed a clear motive. The FBI has stated that the gunfire appears to have been "sparked by a disagreement among several individuals." The lack of answers has left the community anxious and searching for closure. "What assurance do we have that all of this is going to stop or it will come to a close?" asked local resident Reseann Mitchell at a press conference, voicing a sentiment echoed by many in Leland. Police Chief Jimmy Myrick replied, "I understand. We can’t stop it but we can slow it down."
Mitchell is the mother of Terrogernal S. Martin, one of the suspects charged with capital murder. She maintains her son’s innocence, saying he was working as a security guard at a nearby business when the shooting broke out. "He was standing outside all night, and when the shooting took place, he pushed everyone inside," Mitchell recounted. "When he realized I wasn’t on the inside—he had my purse. He went in my purse and got my gun out to come outside and look for me." She expressed frustration with the difficulty of communicating with law enforcement and advocating for her son, who is currently being held at the Washington County jail.
The shooting in Leland was the deadliest of several violent incidents that occurred across Mississippi during homecoming weekend. Additional shootings were reported in Rolling Fork, Heidelberg, and at Alcorn State and Jackson State universities, which were also celebrating their own homecoming festivities. In total, these events left at least four more people dead and several others injured, underscoring a troubling pattern of violence during what should be joyous community gatherings.
State and local officials have promised increased law enforcement presence at upcoming homecoming events in an effort to restore a sense of safety. Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, "There is much more that needs to be looked into and many more questions answered in this case." He assured the public that law enforcement is working "tirelessly" to find those responsible and prevent similar tragedies. "We can do better. We must do better. We will do better," Tindell said during the news conference. "And for those that choose not to, I want you to know that law enforcement will work tirelessly to hold you accountable, to find you a cell that you can spend the rest of your life in until that day that you meet your maker."
Governor Tate Reeves also addressed the issue, suggesting that efforts to prevent future violence must focus on convincing young people to value life and understand the consequences of their actions. "Convince young people who are committing crimes to value life and to know that actions have consequences," he said, speaking to the broader challenge of curbing gun violence in Mississippi and beyond.
The FBI, along with state and local agencies, continues to urge anyone with information about the Leland shooting to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or visiting tips.fbi.gov. The FBI has also established a specific digital media website for the Leland mass shooting, allowing the public to upload photos and videos that might aid in the investigation.
For Leland, a town of fewer than 4,000 people, the shock of the shooting lingers. The annual homecoming celebration, once a symbol of unity and community pride, now serves as a painful reminder of lives lost and a community forever changed. As officials press forward with their investigation and the town mourns, residents hope for healing and for answers that might help prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again.
