A shooting during Albany State University’s homecoming weekend in Albany, Georgia left one person dead and five others injured near the Student Union on the East Campus. The incident occurred around 8:50 p.m. on October 19, 2024, disrupting the festive atmosphere of the university’s annual celebration.
The victim who lost his life was identified as 19-year-old De’Marion Tashawn Daniels from Newnan, Georgia. Daniels was not a student at Albany State University. Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler confirmed that Daniels died from his injuries at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.
Among the injured were a 13-year-old girl, a 16-year-old girl, a 17-year-old girl, and a 20-year-old woman who was grazed by a bullet. Another 19-year-old woman was injured while trying to flee the scene. Some victims received immediate treatment in the East Campus’s Student Union before being transported to a local hospital.
Albany Police Chief Michael Persley stated that authorities are still working to determine the motive behind the shooting.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has taken the lead in the investigation. Multiple agencies are collaborating to piece together what happened. The area around Radium Springs Road was shut down, and traffic was diverted as law enforcement secured the scene and searched for any suspects involved.
Interim Albany State University President Dr. Lawrence Drake addressed the campus community following the tragedy. “The safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority,” Drake said. He assured students that there was no ongoing threat on campus and that the university was taking all necessary steps to ensure safety.
The shooting took place near a “Back to the Yard Celebration Concert,” part of the homecoming week festivities. The event was meant to bring together students, alumni, and the community in celebration, but it was marred by the unexpected violence.
The GBI has urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
The Albany Police Department and the Dougherty County School System are also involved in the response, offering support and counseling services. Several of the injured victims are high school students, prompting the school system to provide mental health resources.
As the investigation continues, the university community is focused on healing and supporting one another. Authorities have not released information about any potential suspects or persons of interest. The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
