Community Devastated After 16-Year-Old Jamiyah Grant Fatally Shot During Annual Celebration at Bandy Park
OPELIKA, AL — A night meant for celebration turned into a heartbreaking tragedy on Saturday, June 7, 2025, when 16-year-old Jamiyah Grant was fatally shot during a large gathering at George C. Bandy Park. The shooting occurred during the annual Alumni Day celebration, an event known to draw hundreds of residents for an evening of music, food, and community fellowship.
What was intended to be a joyous evening was marred by sudden violence that claimed the life of a young girl with a promising future. According to Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton, emergency medical services responded quickly and transported Jamiyah to East Alabama Medical Center. Despite the efforts of paramedics and ER staff, she was pronounced dead at 9:34 p.m.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and disbelief as gunshots rang out among the crowd. “This was supposed to be a joyful night. Instead, a young girl lost her life,” one heartbroken attendee told WRBL. “We were all out here laughing, dancing, and then — just like that — everything changed.”
Jamiyah Grant, a student at Opelika High School, was described by those who knew her as bright, respectful, and full of ambition. Friends and teachers alike recall a teen who radiated warmth, whose smile could light up a room, and who loved being surrounded by family and friends. The senseless nature of her death has sent shockwaves through the Opelika community.
As of Sunday morning, no arrests have been made, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. The Opelika Police Department is actively investigating the incident and reviewing surveillance footage, as well as interviewing witnesses who were present at the park. Authorities have not stated whether Jamiyah was the intended target or a tragic victim of indiscriminate violence.
“We are treating this case with the highest urgency,” said a spokesperson from the department. “We understand the community’s need for answers and justice, and we are committed to uncovering the truth of what happened last night.”
Coroner Sexton confirmed that Jamiyah’s body will be transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery for a full autopsy, which is standard procedure in homicide investigations. The findings may help provide additional context or forensic evidence to aid in the case.
The park, now silent and roped off with police tape, stands as a solemn reminder of what was lost. Grief counselors have been made available at local schools, and candlelight vigils are already being planned to honor Jamiyah’s memory. Her classmates, still reeling from the news, are expected to hold a memorial in the coming days to pay tribute to a life cut tragically short.
Community leaders, clergy members, and activists have called for peace and accountability, emphasizing the urgent need to protect youth and address the root causes of violence.
“We cannot allow another child to be taken from us because of a gun,” said one local pastor during an emotional press gathering. “We owe it to Jamiyah and every young person in this community to ensure they can grow up without fear.”
The Opelika Police Department is urging anyone with information — no matter how minor it may seem — to come forward. Tips can be made by calling 334-705-5260, and anonymous tips may also be submitted via the Opelika Police Mobile App.
As her loved ones prepare to lay her to rest, the Opelika community grieves together — not only for Jamiyah Grant, but for the promise of a future she will never have the chance to fulfill. May her memory be a call to action for healing, unity, and justice.