Deadly Shooting at Ingalls Shipbuilding: Victim and Suspect Identified
Authorities have released new details in the deadly workplace shooting that occurred Friday morning at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula. The incident, which took place aboard a ship under construction, left one worker dead and another in custody.
According to Pascagoula Police Chief Terry Scott, the shooting happened at approximately 7:30 a.m. inside the shipyard. Responding officers and emergency crews quickly converged on the scene after reports of gunfire.
The victim has been identified as 27-year-old Tahj Johnson of Pritchard, Alabama. Johnson was pronounced dead following the shooting.
Police say the suspect, 25-year-old Curtis James Jr. of Mobile, Alabama, was arrested shortly after the incident. Both Johnson and James were employees of Ingalls Shipbuilding. James has been charged with first-degree murder.
Chief Scott stated that the shooting may have stemmed from a prior conflict:
“We’ve learned that there was an altercation between the suspect and the victim earlier this week. At this point, we believe that dispute may have escalated into today’s tragic event.”
The firearm used in the shooting has not yet been recovered. Investigators continue to search for the weapon and are interviewing witnesses to piece together the events that led up to the violence. Authorities confirmed that no other injuries were reported.
As a precaution, the shipyard was placed on lockdown for several hours Friday morning while law enforcement secured the area and ensured there were no additional threats. Once the situation was under control, Ingalls officials released employees for the remainder of the day, with pay.
Ingalls Shipbuilding, a major employer in the Gulf Coast region and one of the largest shipbuilders for the U.S. Navy, has pledged support for its workforce during this difficult time. Company officials announced that grief counseling services will be offered to employees in the coming days.
The incident has rattled both the shipyard community and the wider Pascagoula area. Many employees described a tense and frightening morning, with some workers saying they initially did not know whether there were multiple shooters. Others expressed shock that a workplace disagreement could escalate into such deadly violence.
Police stress that the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are working closely with Ingalls Shipbuilding officials, and additional updates will be released as more information becomes available.
Chief Scott emphasized the community’s resilience while acknowledging the tragedy:
“This is a heartbreaking situation. Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Johnson, his coworkers, and everyone affected. We are committed to ensuring justice is served.”
