Family says teen killed in Tuskegee University shooting was a 'loving person'

TROY, Ala. (WSFA) – La’Tavion Johnson was a young man who lived for his family and friends. He was only 18 years old and was set to begin a career with the Alabama Department of Transportation next week.

That dream was cut short in the early morning hours of Sunday gunfire rang out at a party at Tuskegee University amid the homecoming festivities.

When the shooting stopped, Johnson was dead and at least sixteen others were injured. A dozen of those injuries resulted from gunfire, authorities said.

It’s a call no parent wants to receive, but Tamika and Larry Johnson’s world came crashing down when friends on campus called to tell them their son had been murdered.

Friends, family and the community gathered at their home in Troy on Monday to let them know they are not alone in this. It was here where the grieving parents spoke to the media about their son’s life, which was all about the people he loved.

Those who knew La’Tavion Johnson described him as a “vibrant soul,” and his mother jokingly described him as a “mama’s boy,” but unjokingly told the media, “That was my baby.”

“He was a loving person,” his father said. He began to exclaim, “The life he had…” but was unable to complete the thought due to his pain.

The family was already expecting another child when this tragedy struck. La’Tavion Johnson’s sister recently died, leaving behind a son. The teenager had helped the family raise his nephew.

“So now that I’m back here and seeing them grieving, it hurts me,” said his aunt, Shajuana Jackson.

As they grieve, the Johnsons plan to honor their son’s life and fight for justice and change. Larry Johnson said he plans to urge more people to put down their guns.

“If I could just touch one person and stop the gun violence. It really hurts, it hurts. You miss your child all because someone wants to shoot,” he said through tears.

La’Tavion Johnson’s parents weren’t the only ones who were emotional remembering their loved one. He also had a girlfriend, Jalyn Youngblood. The couple was planning a future together and even discussed how many children they would have.

“I feel like I planned my whole life with someone, and now he’s gone. I just don’t know what to do anymore,” Youngblood said.

“Everyone loved him, and it’s just really heartbreaking that he had to die that way,” she said.

Some of his cousins and friends who were with him at the block party talked about how he was dancing and having fun before the chaos started.

His girlfriend Janyla Avery, who was among those injured but survived, said: “All we wanted to do was have fun. And one thing about us is that we never leave each other. We all come together, everyone leaves together, and I don’t really understand it.

One person has been arrested for the crime, but has not been charged in the actual shooting. Jaquez Myrick, 25, of Montgomery, is federally charged with possession of a machine gun.

It is not clear what will happen next in terms of charges as the investigation continues.

The mass shooting was the reason immediate changes to campus security protocols. During a news conference Monday, Tuskegee University President Mark Brown said that effective immediately, IDs will be required for anyone visiting campus. In addition, the head of campus security has been fired and replaced, and the entire security team will be assessed.

Brown noted that the event in which the shooting occurred was not sanctioned by Tuskegee University.

Officials did not release a motive for the shooting or answer questions at the news conference.

Johnson’s funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

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