Teen killed in Alabama homecoming shooting died saving girl’s life, family says

Emergency responders, along with campus and local law enforcement, secured the scene. The National Investigation Agency is conducting an investigation.

Multiple videos on social media showed the chaos on campus Sunday morning.

So far, 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 possession of a handgun with a machine gun conversion device. According to authorities, Myrick was found leaving the scene of the shooting and was federally charged with possession of a machine gun.

Tuskegee University canceled all classes 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. “He was shy in so many ways until he met you, and then he was the life of every party.”

“He was an 18-year-old full of energy,” he said. “He loved to play outside. He was a country.”

La’tavion Johnson worked at Piggly Wiggly right after graduating and also worked on a relative’s farm.

He was scheduled to start a new job next week with the Alabama Department of Transportation in Troy.

Larry Johnson and his wife Tamika were sleeping early Sunday when they received a call from someone telling them their son had been shot. They didn’t believe it at first, but then received a second call from a friend.

“They said it’s him and he’s on the ground,” Larry Johnson said. “They said we had to go to Tuskegee.”

They rushed to Tuskegee University.

“We were standing there with the body, and we didn’t even know it because we were looking up,” Larry Johnson said. “They started cordoning off the crime scene and pushed me aside.”

Larry Johnson made his way to his son, whose body was covered.

“I didn’t expose him, but I saw his shoes, and that’s when I realized it was him,” he said. “It was difficult.”

Larry Johnson said he spoke with his son Friday at the home of his mother, 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 medication for his nephew.

The Johnsons said they generally knew their son’s plans but were unaware 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. “This time only my mother knew.”

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 organize a Stop the Violence Rally,” he said. “We have to get rid of these weapons because it’s getting ridiculous.”

Less than two years ago, the Johnsons lost another child, a daughter, in a car accident. 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.