Campus Alert Archive
GSU

Fatal Shooting in Front of Favrot Student Union Kicks Off Deadly Homecoming Week at Grambling State

LAshootingemergency notificationmedium confidence
Confirmed Threat

At approximately 1:08 AM CDT on October 13, 2021, a shooting erupted between two non-GSU individuals in front of the Favrot Student Union building during a non-university-sanctioned event on the Grambling State University campus. One person was killed and another wounded, with two university students also injured while fleeing the scene.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
1
Injured
3
Institution
Grambling State University
Hbcu · LA
~5,200 studentsGSAFE
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTmulti-channel
Approximate reconstruction133 chars
GSU ALERT: Shots fired on campus near Favrot Student Union. Shelter in place immediately. Avoid the area. University Police on scene.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from university press release and local news coverage
University police were immediately on the scene after the shooting at approximately 1:08 AM CDT
A shelter-in-place order was issued via the emergency alert system
ALL CLEARmulti-channel
Approximate reconstruction200 chars
GSU UPDATE: The shelter in place has been lifted. Louisiana State Police is leading the investigation into the shooting near Favrot Student Union. If you have information, contact LSP at 318-345-0000.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from reports that Louisiana State Police assumed lead investigative role
The university announced increased security presence on campus following the shooting
Context

Background

At approximately 1:08 AM CDT on October 13, 2021, a shooting occurred in front of the Favrot Student Union building on the Grambling State University campus during homecoming week. The shooting involved two non-GSU individuals and took place during an event not sanctioned by the university. Nineteen-year-old Damarius Murphy of Rayville was killed and a 16-year-old juvenile was also wounded. Two university students sustained non-life-threatening injuries while leaving the area. An arrest warrant was issued for 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll of Delhi on charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and possession of a firearm on school property. This was the first of two shootings during homecoming week, with a second mass shooting occurring just four days later in the campus quad. Grambling State had experienced at least one shooting per year for five consecutive years, prompting growing calls for security reform.
Analysis

Key Findings

The shooting involved non-students at a non-university-sanctioned event, highlighting the challenge of controlling campus access during homecoming
This was the first of two shootings during the same homecoming week at Grambling State
Louisiana State Police assumed the lead investigative role rather than university police
Outcome
19-year-old Damarius Murphy of Rayville was killed and a 16-year-old juvenile was wounded. Two GSU students sustained non-life-threatening injuries while evacuating. An arrest warrant was issued for 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll of Delhi on charges including second-degree murder.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Official
    Grambling State University to increase security presence after incident on campus (GSU News)
    news.gram.edu
  2. News
    1 person killed, the other wounded in shooting in front of Grambling State's Favrot Student Union (KSLA-TV)
    ksla.com
  3. News
    Grambling State University has had at least one shooting per year over the last five years (Louisiana Illuminator)
    lailluminator.com
  4. News
    Search continues for alleged GSU homecoming shooter (KTVE)
    myarklamiss.com
Tags
shootinghbcuhomecominglouisiananon-student-involvedunsanctioned-event
Added April 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion