1 dead, 16 injured in shooting at Tuskegee University in Alabama

One person was killed and more than a dozen others injured in a shooting at Tuskegee University in Alabama early Sunday, authorities and the school said. The incident occurred as the historically black university celebrated the end of its 100th homecoming week.

The deceased person had nothing to do with Tuskegee University, the school said in a statement obtained by CBS News, noting that the person's parents had been notified. Police said the shooting victim was 18 years old.

The Macon County coroner identified the victim to CBS News as 18-year-old La'Tavion Johnson.

Twelve people, including Tuskegee University students, were injured in the shooting and hospitalized at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika and Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery. Four other people were injured in the incident, but not by gunfire, authorities said.

According to the university, emergency responders secured the scene with the help of campus authorities and local law enforcement. The State Bureau of Investigation in Alabama has opened an investigation into the shooting, which is ongoing.

“The university is in the process of completing student accountability and notifying parents. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” the university said.

Jaquez Myrick, 25, was arrested and charged with possession of a machine gun, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said in a news release Sunday evening. The agency said Myrick left the scene of the shooting with “a handgun with a machine gun conversion device.” ALEA did not say whether Myrick was the suspect in the shooting.

“At approximately 1:40 a.m., special agents received notification that multiple individuals had been shot on the Tuskegee University campus,” the agency said in an earlier statement, noting that they were “still in the process of gathering information about the incident and to examine.” Events that ultimately led to the shooting.

The university announced Sunday afternoon that classes would be canceled Monday “to ensure that officers and their law enforcement partners can continue the investigation as easily as possible.”

“The administration joins students in mourning the event after such a joyful weekend and will have grief counselors available in the chapel on Monday for students who wish to gather to discuss what happened,” the university said in a message to the Tuskegee Community. “Students should not hesitate to reach out to the Student Health Center for assistance if they choose to do so privately.”