Victim Identified in Deadly Shooting at Ingalls Shipbuilding
Authorities have released the name of the victim in Friday morning’s fatal shooting at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula.
Jackson County Deputy Coroner James Brodnax confirmed that the victim is 27-year-old Tahj Johnson of Pritchard, Alabama. Johnson tragically lost his life after being shot on the grounds of the shipyard.
Police have identified the suspect as Curtis James Jr. of Mobile, Alabama. Officials say James was taken into custody shortly after the incident and has since been charged with first-degree murder. He remains in police custody as the investigation continues.
According to Pascagoula Police Chief Matt Chapman, the shooting occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. Friday inside the Ingalls facility. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including Pascagoula Police, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and other emergency responders, were dispatched to the scene following reports of gunfire.
In the immediate aftermath, parts of the shipyard were temporarily placed on lockdown as authorities secured the area and worked to ensure there were no additional threats to employees or the community.
Ingalls Shipbuilding, one of the largest private employers in Mississippi and a major defense contractor for the U.S. Navy, employs thousands of workers in the Pascagoula area. News of the shooting has shaken both the workforce and the wider community. Company officials have not yet released a public statement but are said to be cooperating fully with investigators.
As of now, authorities have not disclosed a possible motive for the shooting or whether the victim and suspect knew each other prior to the incident. Investigators are actively interviewing witnesses and reviewing security footage from the facility.
Chief Chapman urged patience from the public as the case develops:
“This is still an active and ongoing investigation. We want to make sure we have all the facts before releasing additional details.”
The death of Tahj Johnson has left family and friends grieving, with many taking to social media to express shock and heartbreak over the sudden loss of a young life.
This remains a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available regarding the investigation, potential court proceedings, and any official statements from Ingalls Shipbuilding.
