BREAKING UPDATE: Tylar Jarod Goodloe Identified as Suspect in Leland, Mississippi Mass Shooting That Left 10 Dead and 12 Injured, Including Victim Kaslyn Johnson
Leland, Mississippi (October 11, 2025) — A devastating tragedy has rocked the small community of Leland, Mississippi, as authorities confirm that 18-year-old Tylar Jarod Goodloe has been identified as a person of interest in a horrific mass shooting that claimed ten lives and left twelve others injured in the early hours of Saturday morning. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department and Leland Police Department are leading the investigation into what has now become one of the deadliest shootings in Mississippi’s recent history.
According to officials, the mass shooting occurred shortly after midnight following the Leland High School Homecoming game, when a large crowd gathered for an after-party near the intersection of Broad Street and North Main Avenue. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and terrifying — a moment of community celebration turned into a night of horror as gunfire erupted, sending panicked students, parents, and residents fleeing for safety.
The Suspect: Tylar Jarod Goodloe
Law enforcement sources have confirmed that Goodloe, an 18-year-old from Heidelberg, Mississippi, is being sought for questioning in connection to the shooting. He was previously known to local authorities and had been seen in the area earlier in the evening. Police have not released a motive but are urging anyone with information on Goodloe’s whereabouts to contact Chief Cornell White of the Heidelberg Police Department at 601-422-7430, or the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 601-765-2588.
Sheriff’s deputies and state investigators have launched a statewide manhunt, cautioning the public that Goodloe should be considered armed and dangerous. Multiple agencies, including the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and the FBI’s Jackson Field Office, are assisting in the manhunt and forensic analysis of the crime scene.
Victims Identified: Among Them, Kaslyn Johnson
Authorities have begun notifying the families of the victims as the community reels from the senseless violence. Among the deceased is 17-year-old Kaslyn Johnson, a beloved Leland High School student remembered by classmates for her kindness, radiant smile, and leadership spirit. Friends and teachers described her as “a light in every room she entered” and said she had dreams of becoming a nurse after graduation.
Several of the injured remain hospitalized in critical condition at Greenwood Leflore Hospital and University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson. Hospital officials have confirmed that many of the victims are teenagers and young adults who had attended the homecoming festivities earlier in the evening.
Community in Shock and Mourning
As news of the tragedy spread, grief has enveloped Leland and neighboring towns. The Leland School District released a statement Saturday morning expressing heartbreak over the loss of students and community members, announcing that counselors will be available for students, faculty, and families throughout the week.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy that has shattered our sense of safety and peace,” said Superintendent Dr. Alicia Turner. “We are mourning together, and our hearts are with every family affected by this horrific act of violence.”
Residents gathered at local churches throughout the morning to pray for the victims and their families. Candlelight vigils are already being planned at the Leland High School football field and the First Baptist Church of Leland, where hundreds are expected to attend in solidarity and remembrance.
Ongoing Investigation
Investigators have collected dozens of shell casings and surveillance footage from nearby businesses as they work to reconstruct the events that led to the shooting. Preliminary reports suggest that an altercation may have escalated into a deadly exchange of gunfire involving multiple shooters. Authorities are not ruling out the possibility that the incident could be connected to ongoing disputes between rival groups.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves issued a public statement condemning the violence and pledging full state resources to assist in the investigation, calling the attack “a heartbreaking and senseless act that has devastated a close-knit community.”
“No family should ever have to bury their child because of gun violence,” Reeves said. “We are committed to ensuring justice is served swiftly and completely.”
How to Help
Officials are urging anyone with photos, videos, or information from the night of the shooting to come forward. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crimestoppers or directly to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
As Leland mourns, the community stands united in grief — and in determination to find answers and justice for the ten lives lost, the twelve wounded, and every family left forever changed by this unimaginable act of violence.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
