This article discusses recent events involving gun violence, including details that some readers may find disturbing or upsetting. It includes descriptions of mass shootings and the tragic loss of life, including children. Reader discretion is advised.
Last night, a time that should have been all about high school spirit, touchdowns, and homecoming celebrations, was instead marked by fear, chaos, and unbelievable loss. In at least two different states, events tied to high school football games were shattered by mass shootings.
It’s a heartbreaking reality: our children, teenagers, and young people can no longer go out to have simple fun without the risk of violence. They went out to cheer, dance, and celebrate—and for too many, that simple night out became a fight for life, or the very end of it. Many young people went out expecting a great night, and sadly, some did not make it home.
1. Leland, Mississippi: Homecoming Ends in Tragedy
The most tragic event occurred in Leland, Mississippi, right after the high school’s homecoming game.
- What Happened: Late Friday night, huge crowds were gathered on a main street to keep the homecoming party going. Gunfire erupted in the crowd.
- The Loss: This shooting was a disaster. Four people were killed, and another 16 people were injured. Many victims, including teenagers, were rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
- The Pain: The entire community of Leland is now mourning. A cherished yearly tradition was completely ruined by an act of terrible violence that stole lives and left families with unimaginable pain.
2. Heidelberg, Mississippi: Gunfire on School Grounds
In another Mississippi town, Heidelberg, another homecoming celebration was hit by tragedy.
- What Happened: On Friday night, during the high school’s homecoming weekend, a shooting took place right on the school campus.
- The Loss: Two people were shot and killed on the school grounds.
- The Pain: For a second small Mississippi town in one night, the school—a place that should feel safe and supportive—became the scene of a fatal crime.
- Update: The Heidelberg Police Department and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office were actively searching for 18-year-old Tylar Jarod Goodloe in connection with the shooting. He has since been taken into custody.
3. Rolling Fork, Mississippi: Another Celebration Shattered
- What Happened: A shooting took place outside the homecoming game for South Delta High School.
- The Loss: Reports are stating that 5-year-old Legaci Deshawn was fatally shot while reportedly being held in her father’s arms.
- More details and updates are TBA.
4. Portsmouth, Virginia: Gunshots Near the Game
Hundreds of miles away, in Portsmouth, Virginia, another high school football game was interrupted by violence, showing how widespread this problem is.
- The Incident: During the final minutes of the game between I.C. Norcom High School and Churchland High School, reports of gunshots fired in the streets near the school campus quickly spread.
- The Result: While the good news is that no injuries were reported at the scene, the fear was immediate. Police and school officials had to quickly clear the stadium to keep everyone safe.
- The Impact: Even without physical injuries, the feeling of safety was completely broken. A routine high school event was suddenly turned upside down by the sound of gun violence nearby.
College Homecoming Celebrations Turn Violent
The wave of violence also struck university campuses celebrating their homecoming weekends, forcing students and alumni into danger.
5. Jackson State and Alcorn State Universities
- Jackson State: During the university’s homecoming weekend, a shooting was reported at the tailgate section near Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. One child was injured by the gunfire.
- Alcorn State: A separate shooting was reported on the campus of Alcorn State University. This incident tragically resulted in one death and two injuries, one being a child, forcing the campus into a shelter-in-place lockdown as police investigated.
When Will the Fun Be Safe Again?
When children celebrating a football game or being held by their fathers are killed, it is a sign that something is terribly wrong in our society. These shootings are not isolated problems; they are part of a larger, ongoing crisis of gun violence that is taking away our right to safety.
The question is not who is holding the gun, but how they are getting them and how we can stop this from happening again. We cannot keep losing our community events, our sense of safety, and our loved ones to bullets.
To stop these tragedies, people across all communities must demand real solutions. This includes looking closely at gun reform—making it harder for dangerous people to get guns and making sure all weapons are handled responsibly. Our children deserve a world where they can celebrate, play, and go to school without the fear that they may never make it home. We must find the will to make that happen.
It is a difficult thing to accept when a simple homecoming football game can turn into a battleground.