Jackson State mourns freshman killed in nightclub shooting; FBI joins investigation

Earlier Monday, Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney provided an update on the investigation. She said detectives are searching for those responsible and have asked the FBI to assist in the case.

Brackney said the suspects used high-powered rifles and showed a disregard for human life. She said the club was the site of another homicide earlier this year and noted that discussions had previously taken place regarding security concerns tied to events organized by the promoter.

“To the Jackson State community and the city of Jackson, we recognize the concern and the heartbreak this incident has created,” said Brackney. “We cannot change what has happened, but we can commit ourselves to a thorough investigation, follow the evidence, identify those responsible. The safety of our citizens is not negotiable, and our commitment to this justice is unwavering.”

Mayor John Horhn also addressed the shooting in a statement released Monday.

“I condemn the senseless violence at the Hideaway nightclub over the weekend that took innocent lives and left others injured. My heart is with the families who are grieving, those recovering from their injuries, and everyone who experienced it. No one should have to fear for their life while enjoying an evening out.

This is the second deadly shooting at this location in recent months. That is unacceptable. I have directed the City Attorney to explore all available legal options to have this property declared a public nuisance and pursue its closure. We will follow the legal process, but we will not look the other way when repeated violence puts lives at risk.”

Monday evening's vigil was held outside the Administration Tower lawn. Students walked quietly before hearing remarks from President Denise Gregory-Jones, student leaders, counselors and public safety officials.

Hundreds gathered by candlelight to remember Henderson and Poindexter. Candles illuminated the campus as mourners reflected on the lives lost and the impact the shooting has had on the university community.

Gregory-Jones said the university continues coordinating with campus police and the Jackson Police Department as the investigation moves forward.

Fighting back tears, she spoke about the pain felt across the campus and by the victims' families.

She said, as a mother, she understands the heartbreak of losing a child after sending them to college.

“We continue to always put safety first here at the university. We recognize that that is extremely important for our students to stay safe, and they feel safe here at Jackson State,” said Gregory-Jones.

Gregory-Jones said the university will continue working with students as the semester comes to a close.

“Tigers, we're very resilient. We come together. While we come together in great times, but we also come together in times like these as well,” said Gregory-Jones. “Because we recognize the importance of having someone around you and being there for you, mentally checking in on you. And so we feel like this was gonna be a moment or time for people really to grieve and reflect and to come together, and so it's important for us to do that tonight.”

For many students, the vigil marked the beginning of the healing process.

Student leader DJayden Readus said the gathering provided an opportunity for the campus community to come together in support of one another.

“I think when it comes to incidents like this, I think this is time for all of us as a state, as a community, as a race, as nation to stand together and unify around ending violence all around. Not just in particular cases with universities, but just all around this country ending gun violence.”

Student Government Association President Hart Jefferson said the shooting has cast a shadow over the semester, but students remain committed to supporting one another and finishing the term strong.

“I do believe that going forward, Jackson State Tigers, we're resilient people. We're students, so we're going to end off the semester strong,” said Jefferson. “And we're gonna respect and honor the loss of life that happened while continuing to push forward and finish off this semester.”

As students continue to process the violence, university and medical professionals are encouraging those affected to seek support.

Emergency room physician Dr. Alfred Joshua said counseling can help students process what they experienced and understand the emotional effects of trauma.

“t's that psychological trauma that as a community there should be support services that everybody knows about, and as well as the people, the close-knit people around that individual to help them through this traumatic process or traumatic event.”

Joshua said traumatic events affect people differently, and faculty, staff and counselors should pay close attention to changes in behavior following a violent experience.

“Most people have trouble sleeping. They could get, you know, their emotions could be a little bit more angrier or they could be more depressed. They can withdraw, they could more irritable,” said Joshua. “In the event of even say something like post-traumatic stress disorder, typically those symptoms is the cluster of symptoms that lasts for longer than one month in terms of duration and that they are affecting their activities of daily living in that aspect.”

Courtland Sanders, an outreach and prevention specialist at the Latasha Norman Center, said the center has been reaching out to students and offering telehealth counseling through UMMC.

“We’re providing grief counseling for all the students,” said Sanders. “We have our external partners coming in from Infusion Metro, Marion Counseling, Alcorn State University, as well as UMMC Unite just to make sure that every student feels supported.”

University leaders say their focus remains on helping students heal while working with law enforcement as the investigation continues.

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.