A weekend of violence in Mississippi left six people dead and at least 10 others wounded after gunfire erupted early Saturday in downtown Leland during a high school homecoming celebration. The shootings were the deadliest single act of violence to strike the small Delta town in decades.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight on Oct. 11 along Main Street, where hundreds had gathered following Leland High School’s homecoming football game against Charleston High School. Witnesses said the crowd was beginning to disperse when multiple shots rang out, sending people running for cover between parked vehicles and storefronts. Police and emergency medical teams from across Washington County responded within minutes.
A worker removes what appears to be a box on Saturday afternoon that may have contained camera footage of downtown Leland. Photo by Steve Smith
Four people — Oreshama Johnson, a 41-year-old Black male; Calvin Plant, a 19-year-old Black male; Shelbyona Powell, a 25-year-old Black female; and Kaslyn Johnson, an 18-year-old Black female — were pronounced dead at the scene. Two others, Amos Brantley Jr., an 18-year-old Black male, and JaMichael Jones, a 34-year-old Black male, later died at hospitals in Hinds and Shelby counties. According to the Washington County coroner’s office, all six victims were residents of Washington County. At least 10 others were injured, with several airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson for advanced care. Four of those victims remained in critical condition as of Sunday night.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, joined by the FBI, ATF and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, is leading the inquiry. Investigators have recovered shell casings and are analyzing security and cellphone footage from the scene. Authorities have not named any suspects and have not disclosed a possible motive. Federal agents have urged anyone with video or photos from the event to upload them to the FBI’s digital media portal.
At a press conference Saturday, Leland Mayor John Lee confirmed the six fatalities and implemented immediate emergency measures, including a city curfew and a temporary suspension of open-bar operations. Lee said the city is cooperating closely with state and federal agencies to prevent further violence while appealing for calm and community assistance. The FBI’s Jackson Field Office also urged residents with firsthand knowledge to come forward.
The Washington County coroner’s office released a statement addressing rumors and detailing the timeline of the shootings: “At approximately 12:38 a.m. on Oct. 11, the coroner’s office was notified by the Leland Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office regarding a shooting in Leland. Four unresponsive subjects were observed at the scene and pronounced deceased; next of kin were notified. Those individuals were identified as Oreshama Johnson, 41; Calvin Plant, 19; Shelbyona Powell, 25; and Kaslyn Johnson, 18, all described as residents of Washington County. Later that morning, the coroner’s office received word that Amos Brantley Jr., 18, and JaMichael Jones, 34, had died from their injuries. The official death toll stands at six. The remains are in the care of the coroner’s office and will be transported to the Mississippi State Crime Lab for autopsies. We ask the community to remain patient as inquiries continue and to respect the families’ privacy during this difficult time. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and the entire Washington County community.”
A grill left in downtown Leland on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Steve Smith
Leland, a town of roughly 3,700 residents known for its annual homecoming festivities, spent the weekend in mourning. Local pastors and civic leaders organized vigils, and the NAACP called on witnesses to cooperate fully with law enforcement. Mississippi State Sen. Derrick Simmons condemned what he described as “senseless gun violence” and said efforts are underway to expand community-based security at upcoming school events.
The Leland shooting was one of several violent incidents across Mississippi during the same weekend. Separate shootings at homecoming events in Heidelberg and Anguilla left two dead and two injured, respectively. Investigators have said there is currently no evidence connecting the incidents.
As of Oct. 13, no arrests had been made in Leland, and the investigation remains active. Residents say they want answers — and closure — as the small community continues to grapple with the tragedy that transformed its most celebrated weekend into one of deep loss.
