Lorman, Mississippi — A night of homecoming celebration at Alcorn State University turned tragic when gunfire erupted on campus, leaving one woman dead and two others injured. Authorities identified the victim as Brekyra Fisher, 29, who was fatally shot near the Industrial Technology Building in the early hours of October 11. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has taken the lead in the case as the campus community mourns her loss.
According to university officials, the shooting occurred during homecoming festivities, a time when students, alumni, and families gathered to celebrate school spirit. Around midnight, multiple shots were fired, sending hundreds of people running for safety. Police said Fisher was pronounced dead at the scene, while two other victims were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses described terrifying moments as the joyful atmosphere of the evening descended into chaos. “One minute we were laughing and talking, and the next we heard gunshots,” said one student. “Everyone just started running — people were screaming, trying to hide wherever they could.” Many attendees took shelter inside campus buildings while others fled toward nearby parking lots.
The university immediately issued a campus-wide shelter-in-place alert as law enforcement officers rushed to secure the area. Officers from the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department and Alcorn State University Police were among the first to respond. The alert was lifted a few hours later once authorities confirmed there was no active threat to students and staff.
Investigators say they are working diligently to determine what led to the shooting. Early reports suggest the incident may have stemmed from a confrontation that escalated during the homecoming event, though no motive has been confirmed. Officials have not named any suspects, and no arrests have been made as of Sunday evening.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is leading the inquiry, with assistance from local and campus police. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and collecting ballistic evidence from the scene. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that even small details could help identify those responsible.
Fisher’s death has left the Alcorn State University community in deep mourning. She was described by those who knew her as a kind, driven, and compassionate individual who had returned to campus to celebrate with friends and reconnect with her alma mater. University officials expressed their sorrow and extended condolences to her family, calling the incident a “devastating loss for the Alcorn family.”
In a statement, university leaders emphasized their commitment to ensuring safety on campus and providing counseling services to students and staff affected by the tragedy. “We are heartbroken by this senseless act of violence,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire Alcorn community.”
Residents of Claiborne County also voiced shock over the violence, noting that such incidents are rare at the historic institution. Community members have begun organizing a candlelight vigil in Fisher’s memory, hoping to bring comfort to those grieving and to call for peace on college campuses.
As investigators continue their search for answers, the loss of Brekyra Fisher stands as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly joy can turn to tragedy. What began as a night of unity and celebration has instead left a university — and an entire community — mourning the life of a young woman whose bright future was cut short by senseless gunfire.
