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Man who fired gun in Tuskegee University mass shooting pleads guilty to weapon charge

A Montgomery man who fired his gun during the November mass shooting at Tuskegee University has pleaded guilty to a federal weapons charge.

Jaquez Myrick, 25, was charged with being in possession of a handgun with a machine gun conversion device.

Court records show Myrick is set to be sentenced on May 20.

No one has been charged in the shooting death of 18-year-old La’Tavion Johnson or the wounding of 16 others.

The Tuskegee shooting happened Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at West Commons on-campus apartments. Some of it was caught on social media videos.

The shooting came as Tuskegee’s 100th Homecoming Week was winding down. Its football team that Saturday had played Fairfield-based HBCU Miles College.

No one has been charged in the shooting death of 18-year-old La’Tavion Johnson or the wounding of 16 others, 12 of whom were shot.

Johnson’s parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university and security officials.

ATF Special Agent Andrew Erdmann in the criminal complaint said that Macon County 911 received a call at 12:58 a.m. that Sunday reporting shots fired on the campus with possibly two people dead.

A Tuskegee police officer, among the first to respond, saw a large number of people at West Commons and said the gunfire was still ongoing.

He was unable to drive his patrol vehicle into the parking lot because of the crowd of people and vehicles, the complaint states.

“As Officer (Alan) Ashley moved through the parking lot, he observed a (Black) male laying on the ground and not moving,’’ Erdmann wrote.

“Officer Ashley said he found the male on the ground to be deceased from a possible gunshot wound.”

The officer then spotted another man in the parking lot, later identified as Myrick, who was armed with a Glock pistol. Myrick was detained and the pistol confiscated.

Erdmann said the Glock in Myrick’s possession was loaded with a 30-round magazine containing nine rounds of ammunition, as well as a round loaded into the chamber of the pistol.

The agent said the gun was equipped with a black “invisi-switch” type machine gun conversion device and functioned as a machine gun.

In an interview with agents, Myrick told investigators “he came to Tuskegee from Montgomery looking for a party,’’ Erdmann wrote.

Myrick said he and his friends were there for about five minutes when he began hearing gunfire. He said he went into the parking lot looking for one of his friends, at which point he was arrested by an officer.

Myrick said he bought the gun from a pawn shop in Tampa and denied being aware of any modifications made to the pistol. He said he had fired the gun Saturday, and that it “shot normal.”

He later confessed that he bought the “switch” for his Glock pistol one to two years ago and installed it on the gun.

He initially denied firing the gun on campus that morning, but later said he did but did not shoot anyone.

Jeremiah Williams, 20, is also charged with having a gun equipped with a machine gun conversion device. His case is set for trial later this year.

The investigation is ongoing by ALEA, the Tuskegee University Police Department, the City of Tuskegee Police Department, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, FBI, the Fifth Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.

Anyone with information is asked to submit tips at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

General

Tommy Tuberville backs defunding what he calls ’National Propaganda Radio’

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala, is supportive of efforts to defund National Public Radio or what he called the, “National Propaganda Radio.”

“Not a single dime of taxpayer dollars should go to the National Propaganda Radio – or NPR,” Tuberville said in a statement. “NPR used to be a go-to source of news for millions of Americans. But it’s clear that NPR now sees itself as an arm of the Democrat party bought and paid for by American taxpayers.”

Last Friday, U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Monrovia, introduced a bill that would cut federal funding to NPR.

In a statement, Strong stated that NPR was, “nothing more than a mouthpiece for the far left.”

For years, NPR and public media have faced threats of funding cuts because conservatives contend the services have a liberal bias.

In 1967, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was founded to provide universal access to telecommunication across the country. CPB is responsible for providing funding to NPR and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Despite the attacks from conservatives NPR has continued receiving funding at the federal level.

However, there is real concern that President Donald Trump’s administration and a Republican majority in Congress could follow through on those threats.

Trump’s administration has already attempted to buyout federal workers and order drastic funding cuts for the National Institute of Health which could have a major impact for Alabama.

Both measures have been temporarily blocked by federal judges.

Tuberville said NPR losing funding would make it reconsider its alleged bias reporting.

“Once NPR loses its federal funding, perhaps they will consider making an attempt at unbiased reporting,” Tuberville said. “I support both the Trump administration’s and Congress’ efforts to stop funding woke media outlets who are hellbent on spewing anti-American propaganda.”

General

Super Bowl record-holder arrested on warrant for aggravated assault-strangulation

On Feb. 6, 2023, Kadarius Toney was taking part in Super Bowl Opening Night as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

On Feb. 6, 2025, Toney was getting arrested on two outstanding warrants and booked into the Douglas County Jail in Douglasville, Georgia.

The former Alabama high school star spent most of the 2024 NFL season on the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad.

According to court records, Toney was arrested on warrants for aggravated assault-strangulation and obstruct/hinder making emergency phone call.

Jail records show Toney entered the facility on Thursday, with bond set at $25,000. Toney is no longer in jail.

The warrants for Toney’s arrest were issued on Jan. 15 following an incident alleged to have happened at Toney’s address on Jan. 14.

The warrants said Toney “did place his hand around (the victim’s) throat with enough force to cause her to be unable to breath, leave red marks on her neck and cause petechial hemorrhaging in her eyes.”

The warrants also said Toney “took her phone away when she attempted to call 911 and canceled voice commands for the phone to call 911 while physically assaulting her.”

The court records do not show a court date for Toney.

In Kansas City’s 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12, 2023, Toney had the longest punt return in Super Bowl history with a 65-yarder to the Philadelphia 5-yard line to set up a touchdown in the fourth quarter less than three minutes after he had caught a TD pass.

Toney’s 5-yard touchdown reception with 12:04 remaining allowed Kansas City to take a 28-27 lead, and the advantage expanded to eight points thanks to his punt return.

The Chiefs won the NFL championship again for the 2023 season, but Toney did not contribute during the postseason this time. He did not play in the final three regular-season games or the four playoff contests for the 2023 campaign.

This season, Toney played in three games with the Browns. The Chiefs waived Toney on Aug. 28, and he signed with the Cleveland practice squad on Sept. 9.

Toney had two rushing attempts that netted minus-4 yards and returned four punts for 44 yards while on the field for 17 offensive snaps and six special-teams plays in 2024.

Toney was an All-State quarterback at Blount High School in Prichard, and he won the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 6A Back of the Year Award for the 2016 season. In his final two seasons at Blount, Toney threw for 6,498 yards and 69 touchdowns and ran for 1,790 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Toney made the conversion to wide receiver at Florida, where he caught 70 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns, ran for 161 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries and returned 11 punts for an average of 12.6 yards and one TD as a senior.

Toney was a first-round draft choice of the New York Giants in 2021. He had played in only 12 games for New York when the Giants traded him to Kansas City on Oct. 27, 2022.

In 35 NFL regular-season games, Toney has 82 receptions for 760 yards and three touchdowns, 23 rushing attempts for 115 yards and one touchdown and 21 punt returns for a 7.8-yard average.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

General

Trump’s job reduction order could hit most at this major Huntsville employer

A new executive order could put thousands of Huntsville jobs — and potentially billions of contract dollars – at risk.

The White House is championing its efforts to “reduce waste, bloat, and insularity” – at a time when salaries account for less than 5 cents on the dollar of federal spending.

The executive order signed Tuesday by President Donald Trump is the latest action by the new administration to target federal employees. It directs federal agencies to prepare plans for “large-scale reductions in force” – the government’s term for layoffs – as well as ordering a hiring freeze and granting additional power over hiring decisions to the Department of Government Efficiency.

General

Controversial ‘What is a Woman?’ bill ‘ignores science and erases Alabamians,’ trans advocates say

In the hours since a bill defining sex as determined at birth was passed by the Alabama legislature, some state groups have come forward to publicly denounce it.

Opponents say that the bill, SB79, will lead to further marginalization and discrimination for the state’s transgender community.

“SB79 ignores science and erases Alabamians,” wrote self-identified progressive group Unmute Alabama in a post to X on Wednesday.

“It tells our trans neighbors, ‘you don’t exist,’ and it tells everyone else, ‘your rights depend on fitting our definition.’”

“These laws have consequences,” the post continued.

Transgender men and women, as well as others, have appeared at public hearings over the last week to speak in opposition to the bill.

“Today—as one of its first actions in this year’s legislative session—the Alabama legislature gave final approval to a bill allowing discrimination of many Alabamians,” reads a release from A’Niya Robinson, the ACLU of Alabama’s Director of Policy and Organizing.

“We are saddened that after multiple years fighting variations of this bill, Senate Bill 79, the so-called ‘What is a Woman Act,’ or, as we know it, the Trans Erasure Act, is headed to Governor Ivey’s desk.”

The release continues that “SB79 is not consistent with Alabama values, and will unfortunately lead to unnecessary hurt, pain, and suffering, especially among Alabama’s youth.”

Supporters of the bill say it is a commonsense measure that would protect women in single sex spaces, such as restrooms and locker rooms.

But Robinson’s release argues that “it is impossible to erase who someone is, and it is anything but common sense to pretend that they do not exist.”

“While proponents claim the bill advances women’s safety, we disagree,” she wrote.

“If allowing politicians to define women by their biology was the key to a woman’s safety and freedom, women would already be safe and free.”

The bill is a priority for Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature and for Ivey, who mentioned it during her State of the State address last week and said she “look[ed] forward to signing it” in a post to X after this morning’s vote.

The bill, brought forth by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, defines a female as someone whose reproductive system produces ova and a male as someone whose reproductive system produces sperm.

“These efforts to redefine sex and prevent transgender and intersex people from living as the gender they know themselves to be are connected to a larger strategy to push transgender and intersex people out of public and civic life,” Robinson wrote.

“The existence of transgender people is not new—but there is a new and outsized focus on the lives of trans people that is meant to spread fear and anxiety.”

“We will continue to fight and show up for Alabamians targeted for being themselves,” the release concluded.

General

NW Regional Girls: Shila Marks leads Class 3A No. 1 Lauderdale County past No. 5 Mars Hill

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MoonPie jokingly renames Florida, saying ‘We can just do this now!’

The Gulf of Mexico isn’t the only thing getting renamed — MoonPie has thrown out the idea of changing the state of Florida’s name as well.

On Tuesday night, MoonPie shared on X, formerly Twitter, that effective immediately the state of Florida would now be referred to as MoonPieTown. The motivation behind the change was “recent geographical updates,” according to the press release-styled posting.

“‘But Florida is a state,’ you say. No, Florida was a state. Now it’s MoonPieTown. We can just do this now!” wrote the Tennessee-based company.

While the post appears to be inspired by President Trump’s move to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has made plenty of headlines and stirred up controversy in recent weeks, maybe it’s best to do as MoonPie suggests: “Please continue to enjoy our delicious marshmallow sandwiches and don’t think too much about it.”

General

See the top storylines for Birmingham area high school softball this season

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Lawsuit alleges inhumane conditions, neglect at Birmingham jail caused inmate’s death

The Birmingham City Jail is a warehouse for humans where inhumane conditions and neglect from staff caused a woman’s unnecessary death, according to a claim in a federal lawsuit.

Attorneys representing the family of Angela Karen Langley Kimberly, along with another former inmate at the jail, claim the 49-year-old woman died from COVID-19 in Dec. 2022 after being ignored by jail workers and receiving minimal medical attention.

“It was a preventable tragedy caused by a deliberate and systemic disregard for human life by those entrusted with her care,” the lawsuit alleges. “Over the course of ten excruciating days, Ms. Kimberly suffered in a cold, overcrowded jail cell, struggling to breathe, pleading for medical attention, and slowly dying before the eyes of those sworn to protect her.”

Johnathan Austin, an attorney in the case, said Kimberly was left to die alone in her cell. By the time officials returned to her cell, Kimberly was dead, and rigor mortis had already set in.

Kimberly, who was jailed on suspicion of a DUI and traffic warrants, was found unresponsive during a routine cell check, Sgt. Monica Law told AL.com in a story at the time. Officials said she was in a single-person cell.

The plaintiffs are asking a jury for compensatory damages, punitive damages, and judgment ordering adequate funding for the jail including medical care and employee training.

The lawsuit also asks for independent oversight and monitoring of medical care at the jail.

The plaintiffs are Jacob Jerome Kimberly, the deceased woman’s son, along with Keisha Daniels, who was previously incarcerated at the jail and claims she was also denied medical care.

The lawsuit was filed in December 2024 and amended last week. Plaintiff’s lawyers are Austin, Richard Rice and Anthony Piazza.

Representatives for the city of Birmingham declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing city policy of not discussing pending litigation.

Austin in an interview with AL.com, said the rights of people inside the city jail do not end when cell doors slam shut behind them.

“In my experience going down to the jail to see clients, you can see that it is in deplorable condition. This is not unique to this one case,” Austin said. “People who are arrested and taken to jail, whether it’s a person who is guilty and serving their sentence, or a pretrial detention, all of these people are still U.S. citizens and deserve to have the same protections as everybody else.”

Plaintiffs claim the city has operated on an unwritten agreement to reduce costs at the Birmingham City Jail.

Jail renovations have been in the city’s budget at least since 2006 and range from roof replacement to plumbing repair, and the addition of padded cells. The city of Birmingham’s 2022-2026 capital budget noted that most of the $1.5 million set aside for renovations had been spent with just $188,586 remaining.

“By systematically underfunding jail operations, reducing medical personnel, and enforcing an unwritten policy of denying medical treatment to avoid expenses, they ensured that detainees like Ms. Kimberly were left to fend for themselves in life-threatening situations,” the lawsuit alleges.

Plaintiffs are seeking class-action status for the lawsuit.

“The inhumane treatment of Ms. Kimberly is not an isolated incident—it is the result of a deeply entrenched culture of negligence and deliberate indifference.”

The lawsuit claimed that Kimberly was taken to the UAB emergency room for evaluation and was given strict instructions to return to the emergency room if symptoms developed.

She complained of a cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath during medical screening. According to the medical records provided by the defendants, she was given a rapid Covid-19 test, which was positive, and immediately placed in isolation for seven days. The lawyers claim she was not prescribed any medications for her Covid-19 infection.

Human rights violations alleged in the suit include:

● Cells designed for two inmates now hold three to four, with some sleeping directly on concrete floors without mattresses.

● The jail serves two substandard meals a day, “falling far below any reasonable standard of decency.”

● No effective segregation of inmates based on offense severity or vulnerability exists.

● Mental and physical healthcare is grossly inadequate, with emergency medical needs ignored or delayed.

● The level of violence and threats among inmates increases daily due to inadequate staffing and supervision.

The jail and the need to take inmates elsewhere due to its physical condition was the source of dispute between Mayor Randall Woodfin, Sheriff Mark Pettway and the Jefferson County Commission in recent years.

Woodfin in December 2023 asked the sheriff to house Birmingham inmates charged with misdemeanor crimes. The county jail already houses people arrested on felony charges.

However, an initial arrangement collapsed after a few days in a fight over the dollar amount that the county would be reimbursed per inmate.

Woodfin and the city then sued Pettway to force him to take the inmates. That lawsuit was dismissed in Jefferson County District Court, but the city last week filed an appeal to Alabama Supreme Court.

Birmingham for at least two decades has sought an alternative to its aging city jail and its challenged condition. Ideas have included creating a regional jail and working with the county to house inmates.

When the lawsuit was filed, Jimmie Stephens, president of the Jefferson County Commission, told AL.com in February 2024 that it wasn’t the county’s role to take over Birmingham’s jail services.

“I do not feel it is the Jefferson County Commission’s responsibility to bail the city of Birmingham out of a problem that they created for themselves,” Stephens told AL.com at the time. “Jefferson County put taxpayer dollars into our facility to make sure that it was up to date and was able to service the citizens of Jefferson County. The city of Birmingham did not do that.”

Stephens said he met with Woodfin to discuss the jail issue, but the mayor failed to present a long-term goal.

Austin, who is also a former Birmingham council president and chairman of its public safety committee, said he also recalled years of talk addressing unmet needs at the jail.

“This case is not just about one woman’s suffering—it is about accountability. It is about the duty of public officials to provide humane treatment to those in their custody, a duty that protects the rights of every citizen in this country,” lawyers wrote in the lawsuit. “If the government can ignore the suffering of a sick and dying detainee in the shadows of a jail cell, then no one is truly safe from the abuse of unchecked power.”

General

Tornado watch for Southwest Alabama until Wednesday night

On Wednesday at 1:36 p.m. a tornado watch was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until 10 p.m. for Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, Washington and Wilcox counties.

Tornado watches and warnings: Your safety guide

When it comes to tornadoes, understanding the difference between a Tornado watch and a Tornado warning can be a matter of life and death. Let’s break it down:

Tornado watch: Be prepared!

A Tornado watch serves as an early warning that conditions are conducive to tornado formation.
It’s your cue to review and discuss your emergency plans, check your supplies, and locate your safe room.
While it doesn’t indicate an imminent tornado, it’s a heads-up to be prepared to take swift action if a Tornado warning is issued or if you suspect a tornado is approaching.
Watches come from the Storm Prediction Center and often cover a large area, potentially spanning multiple counties or even states.

Tornado warning: Take action!

A Tornado warning signifies that a tornado has been spotted or detected by weather radar.
This is the real deal – there’s an immediate threat to life and property.
Your response should be quick: seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.
If you’re in a mobile home, a vehicle, or caught outdoors, seek the nearest substantial shelter and shield yourself from flying debris.
Warnings are issued by your local forecast office and pinpoint a much smaller area, typically the size of a city or a small county, where a tornado has been identified, either by radar or by trained spotters and law enforcement.

Knowing the distinction between these two alerts is paramount for staying safe during tornado season. Stay informed, have a plan, and act promptly when danger looms.

Get ready for tornadoes

Stay weather-ready:

Check the forecast regularly to see if you’re at risk for tornadoes. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings.

Sign up for alerts:

Know how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on media and smartphones to alert residents of severe storms capable of producing tornadoes.

Create a communication plan:

Create a family emergency plan that includes a designated meeting place and important contact information. If your home lacks a basement, identify a nearby safe building, like a church or a relative’s house, that you can reach quickly.

Choose a secure shelter:

Pick a safe room in your home, such as a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.

Establish a communication plan:

Conduct regular family drills for severe thunderstorms so everyone knows what to do when a tornado threat arises. Ensure that all family members are aware of the safe location to seek shelter, and don’t forget about your pets if time permits.

Prepare your home:

Consider reinforcing your safe room for added protection. You can find plans for fortifying an interior room on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.

Help your neighbor:

Encourage your neighbors and loved ones to prepare for possible tornadoes. Consider taking CPR training to be of assistance in case of injuries.

What to do when a tornado strikes

When a tornado strikes, taking swift action is crucial to ensuring your safety and minimizing potential harm. Follow these guidelines from the weather service:

Stay informed:

To ensure your safety during a tornado, remember that acting promptly is crucial, according to the weather service. Stay informed about tornado watches and warnings through regular updates on local news or a NOAA Weather Radio.

At home:

If you find yourself under a tornado warning while at home, head to your basement, a designated safe room, or an interior space away from windows. Ensure your pets are safe if time permits.

At work or school:

If you are at your workplace or school, adhere to tornado drill procedures. Move promptly and calmly to your designated tornado shelter, avoiding large open areas like cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums, and steer clear of windows.

Outdoors:

If you’re outdoors and a tornado is approaching, seek immediate shelter inside a sturdy building. Sheds, storage facilities, mobile homes, and tents are not safe. If there’s time, make your way to a secure structure.

In a vehicle:

Being inside a vehicle during a tornado is highly unsafe. Your best course of action is to drive to the nearest shelter. If reaching shelter is not possible, either stay inside your car while covering your head, or abandon the vehicle and seek safety in a low-lying area such as a ditch or ravine.

Remember, acting swiftly and following safety protocols are essential for your well-being when a tornado is imminent.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.