A small Mississippi town is reeling after a mass shooting during homecoming celebrations left six dead and more than a dozen wounded, marking the deadliest mass shooting in the United States so far this year.
Chaos Erupts After High School Football Game
The violence unfolded just after midnight on October 11, 2025, in downtown Leland, Mississippi—a tight-knit community in the heart of the Delta. Residents and visitors had gathered on Main Street to celebrate the local high school’s homecoming football victory, a tradition that usually brings joy and unity to the town.
But the festivities turned tragic when a disagreement among several individuals escalated into gunfire. Witnesses described a scene of panic and horror, with people fleeing as shots rang out. Camish Hopkins, a local resident, told the Associated Press,
“It was the most horrific scene I’d ever seen.” Four people died at the scene, their shoes and belongings scattered across blood-stained pavement. Two more victims succumbed to their injuries at area hospitals, and at least ten others were wounded—four critically.
Victims Identified, Community in Mourning
Authorities later identified the deceased as Oreshama Johnson, 41; Calvin Plant, 19; Shelbyona Powell, 25; Kaslyn Johnson, 18; Amos Brantley Jr., 18; and LaMichael Jones, 34. The injured were rushed to local hospitals, with some airlifted to Jackson for advanced care.
The shooting has devastated families and left the entire Leland community in shock. Local leaders described it as the most serious act of violence in the town’s recent history.
Swift Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Law enforcement responded rapidly, with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and the FBI leading the inquiry. Within days, authorities announced multiple arrests:
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Teviyon L. Powell (29), William Bryant (29), and Morgan Lattimore (25) were charged with capital murder.
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Latoya A. Powell (44) was charged with attempted murder.
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Terrogernal Martin (33) was later arrested and also charged with capital murder.
The FBI revealed that Teviyon and Latoya Powell are aunt and nephew, and that one of the victims, Shelbyona Powell, was Latoya’s niece. Authorities say more arrests are expected, with three additional suspects—two women and a man—still being sought.
Officials have not released a specific motive, but the FBI indicated the shooting was “sparked by a disagreement among several individuals.” There is no evidence at this time that the attack was premeditated or connected to broader criminal activity.
A Deadly Weekend Across Mississippi
The Leland shooting was part of a violent weekend across Mississippi. Separate shootings in Heidelberg, Rolling Fork, Lorman, and Jackson left several more dead and injured, highlighting a troubling surge in gun violence in the state.
National Spotlight on Gun Violence
This tragedy has reignited debate over gun violence in America. According to recent data, the U.S. has already seen more than 300 mass shootings in 2025 alone. Community leaders and activists are calling for renewed efforts to address the root causes of such violence and to support victims and their families.
What’s Next for Leland?
As the investigation continues, Leland faces a long road to healing. Vigils and memorials are being planned, and local officials are urging anyone with information to come forward. The FBI and MBI remain on the case, determined to bring all those responsible to justice.
For now, the town mourns its losses and grapples with the aftermath of a night that shattered its sense of safety and community.
Sources
1. Arrests made after Mississippi homecoming shooting left 6 dead
2. [PDF] A Quantitative Comparison of Mass Shooting Offenders Who ...
3. 2025 Leland shooting - Wikipedia
4. mississippi state student killed in car accident - MBOnlyGains™
5. Another death, more arrests in homecoming event shootings
6. [PDF] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
