Mississippi Communities Reeling After Series of Tragic Homecoming Shootings Leave Multiple Dead and Injured

Mississippi Communities Reeling After Series of Tragic Homecoming Shootings Leave Multiple Dead and Injured

LELAND, Miss. — What should have been a weekend of celebration, unity, and school pride across several Mississippi towns has instead turned into a time of heartbreak and mourning. A series of three separate homecoming-related shootings have left multiple people dead and many others injured, sending shockwaves through communities already devastated by senseless violence.

First Shooting: Leland, Mississippi

The first tragedy struck Friday night in Leland, Mississippi, when gunfire erupted on Main Street shortly after the Leland High School Homecoming football game concluded. Authorities confirmed that 16 people were shot, with at least four individuals pronounced dead at the scene. The Washington County Coroner, La’Quesha Washington, later identified the deceased victims as:

• Oreshama Johnson, 41

• Calvin Plant, 19

• Shelbyona Powell, 25

• Kaslyn Johnson, 18

Two additional victims—Amos Brantley, 18, and JaMichael Jones, 34—succumbed to their injuries later at the hospital. Ten others remain hospitalized, recovering from various wounds.

According to Mayor John Lee of Leland, the shooting did not occur on school property, but rather along Main Street, where many residents had gathered following the homecoming festivities. The scene was chaotic as law enforcement and first responders rushed to assist victims and secure the area.

As of now, no suspects are in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. The community of Leland remains in mourning, with candlelight vigils and prayer services being held to honor those whose lives were lost.

Second Shooting: Rolling Fork, Mississippi

Just as the Leland community was beginning to process its grief, tragedy struck again—this time at South Delta High School in Rolling Fork, during another homecoming celebration. Authorities confirmed that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the Rolling Fork shooting, though further details about the victims and the extent of the injuries have not yet been released.

The second shooting has left residents of Sharkey County shaken, as the violence unfolded during what was meant to be a joyful school event. Law enforcement agencies across the state have since increased patrols at schools and public gatherings to ensure safety in the wake of the incidents.

Third Shooting: Heidelberg, Mississippi

The third and equally devastating incident occurred at Heidelberg High School, where gunfire during a homecoming event claimed two more lives. Authorities reported that one victim was found on the school’s baseball field, while another—a young expectant mother—tragically died in a tailgating area near the bleachers.

The identities of the Heidelberg victims have not been officially released, but the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding their deaths have struck a deep chord across Mississippi. What should have been a night filled with school spirit and community pride ended in tragedy, leaving families shattered and an entire town grieving.

Communities United in Grief

In total, Mississippi has lost at least eight lives across these three homecoming-related shootings:

• Oreshama Johnson, 41

• Calvin Plant, 19

• Shelbyona Powell, 25

• Kaslyn Johnson, 18

• Amos Brantley, 18

• JaMichael Jones, 34
  and two unnamed victims from Heidelberg, Mississippi.

The tragedies have drawn statewide attention, with officials and community leaders calling for peace, unity, and action to address the growing epidemic of gun violence that continues to claim young lives and devastate families.

Governor and local law enforcement agencies have expressed condolences and pledged full cooperation in ongoing investigations. Counselors, faith leaders, and community organizations are working together to support the victims’ families and those traumatized by the shootings.

“These are not just names,” said one local pastor during a vigil in Leland. “These are sons, daughters, parents, and friends—lives full of promise that were taken far too soon. We must come together as a community, not in fear, but in love and determination to end this violence.”

A State in Mourning

As investigators work to uncover what led to this wave of violence, Mississippi communities are left to grieve and to reflect. The back-to-back shootings serve as a stark reminder of how fragile life is and how urgently change is needed to prevent more families from enduring such unimaginable loss.

Vigils and memorials have been organized in Leland, Rolling Fork, and Heidelberg, where candles, prayers, and tears have filled the nights. Across the state, residents are uniting under one message: enough is enough.

The memories of Oreshama Johnson, Calvin Plant, Shelbyona Powell, Kaslyn Johnson, Amos Brantley, JaMichael Jones, and the victims in Heidelberg will forever remain in the hearts of their families, their schools, and their communities.

May their souls rest in eternal peace—and may their tragic loss serve as a call for healing, unity, and lasting change across Mississippi.