A mass shooting during homecoming celebrations in Leland, Mississippi, left at least six people dead and at least 20 injured in the early hours of October 10, 2025, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the small Delta town’s history. The violence erupted around midnight on North Main Street, where crowds had gathered following Leland High School’s homecoming football game against Charleston High School.
Washington County Coroner La’Quesha Watkins confirmed that four people died at the scene, while two additional victims succumbed to their injuries at hospitals. Among those who died later was an 18-year-old male who was airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, according to Hinds County Coroner Jeramiah Howard. A sixth victim died in Shelby County, Tennessee.
State Senator Derrick Simmons initially reported that approximately 20 people were shot during the incident, with at least 12 requiring medical treatment. Four victims remained in critical condition and were transported by air to larger medical facilities for treatment. The shooting occurred in downtown Leland, near the intersection of North Main and Fourth Street, directly in front of City Hall where family members later gathered seeking answers.
According to the Washington County Coroner’s Office, notifications were received on Saturday confirming that the two additional victims were identified as 18-year-old Amos Brantley Jr. and 34-year-old JaMichael Jones.
The coroner’s office also confirmed the identities of those who died at the scene of the shooting: 18-year-old Kaslyn Johnson, 19-year-old Calvin Plant, 41-year-old Oreshama Johnson, and 25-year-old Shelbyona Powell.
Leland Mayor John Lee confirmed that no suspects were in custody as of Saturday evening. “People were just congregating and having a good time in the downtown of Leland,” Simmons stated regarding the atmosphere before the violence began. The senator described the aftermath as very chaotic, with police, sheriff’s deputies and ambulances responding from across the region.
Washington County Supervisor Mala Brooks, who was present during the shooting, witnessed the immediate aftermath. She described seeing a young woman entering a building with blood on her clothing, followed by people running in panic. Brooks reported observing four bodies on the ground when the shooting stopped, before law enforcement arrived in large numbers.
Brooks noted that she had observed several young men carrying backpacks earlier in the evening who did not appear to be from Leland. She photographed the individuals and sent the image to the sheriff’s department, expressing that they stood out prominently among the familiar faces typically seen at the annual celebration. The supervisor indicated that the town had recently installed a surveillance camera on the street where the shooting occurred.
The annual block party has been a Leland tradition since around 1970, when the school integrated. The celebration typically draws former residents back to the town of approximately 4,000 people, located about 115 miles north of Jackson near the Arkansas border. Mayor Lee emphasized that such violence was unprecedented for the community, describing it as a closely-knit city with low crime rates where everyone knows each other.
Multiple agencies responded to investigate the incident. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe, with assistance from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Eickhoff indicated that authorities were actively searching for multiple subjects in connection with the shooting, urging community members to come forward with any information.
The ATF is providing DNA analysis services and working to potentially match shell casings to other firearms using a national automated system.
The Leland shooting was part of a violent weekend across Mississippi that saw multiple incidents at school-related events. In Heidelberg, two people were killed during that community’s homecoming celebration, with an 18-year-old suspect taken into custody for questioning. Additionally, shootings occurred at Alcorn State University and near Jackson State University on Saturday, leaving one dead and several injured.
Governor Tate Reeves addressed the violence in a social media post, indicating that the state was praying for victims and their families in both Heidelberg and Leland communities. The governor emphasized that those responsible would face justice.
As of Saturday evening, Leland police had not released descriptions of suspects or motives for the attack. The investigation remained active, with authorities calling on anyone with information about the shooting to contact local law enforcement or Crime Stoppers.