Table of Contents
- Deadly Night in Leland: Homecoming Turns Tragic
- Who Was Arrested?
- Victims Remembered: Lives Cut Short
- Weekend of Violence: Three Shootings Across Mississippi
- Community Outrage Over Gun Culture
- Sources
Deadly Night in Leland: Homecoming Turns Tragic
What began as a joyous homecoming celebration in the small Mississippi Delta town of Leland ended in horror early Friday morning when gunfire erupted at a crowded street intersection, leaving six people dead and a community reeling.
The shooting occurred around midnight on October 11, 2025, near the corner of Fourth Street and Main Street—a central gathering spot during Leland’s annual homecoming festivities. According to the FBI, the violence appeared to stem from a personal dispute that escalated rapidly in front of dozens of bystanders.
“This was supposed to be one of the happiest nights of the year,” said one local resident who asked not to be named. “Instead, we’re burying our neighbors.”
Who Was Arrested?
On Monday, October 13, the FBI announced the arrest of four individuals in connection with the massacre:
- Morgan Lattimore, 25 – charged with capital murder
- Teviyon L. Powell, 29 – charged with capital murder
- William Bryant, 29 – charged with capital murder
- Latoya A. Powell, 44 – charged with attempted murder
Authorities released surveillance images of the suspects on Sunday after canvassing the community for tips. The FBI confirmed that additional arrests may follow as the investigation continues. None of the suspects have entered formal pleas, and it remains unclear if they have legal representation.
Victims Remembered: Lives Cut Short
The Washington County Coroner’s Office identified the six victims as:
| Name | Age |
|---|---|
| Oreshama Johnson | 41 |
| Calvin Plant | 19 |
| Shelbyona Powell | 25 |
| Kaslyn Johnson | 18 |
| Amos Brantley | 18 |
| JaMichael Jones | 34 |
Among the dead were two teenagers celebrating their first homecoming as adults and a mother of three. Vigils have since sprung up across the Delta, with candles, flowers, and handwritten notes lining the streets of Leland.
Weekend of Violence: Three Shootings Across Mississippi
The Leland shooting was the deadliest of three separate incidents over the weekend that shocked the state:
- Leland: 6 killed during homecoming street gathering
- Heidelberg: Shooting at a high school football game; multiple injured
- Rolling Fork: Another campus-related shooting during Friday night football
In total, at least eight people died and several others were wounded in what officials are calling an unprecedented wave of gun violence in rural Mississippi.
Community Outrage Over Gun Culture
Homecoming is sacred in Mississippi—a time of pride, football, and family. The fact that three shootings occurred during this tradition has sparked soul-searching across the Delta.
“We love our guns, but we’re losing our children,” said Pastor Marcus Bell of Leland First Baptist Church. “Something has to change.”
Local leaders are now calling for stricter background checks, limits on open carry at public events, and increased mental health resources in schools. Yet with Mississippi’s strong gun rights laws, any legislative shift faces steep political hurdles.
For now, Leland mourns. The Bank of Leland—just steps from where the shooting unfolded—flew its flag at half-staff. And on every porch, a quiet question lingers: How do we prevent this from ever happening again?
Sources
The New York Times: 4 People Arrested in Deadly Mississippi Shooting
