Montgomery man sentenced for having machine gun conversion device during Tuskegee University shooting

A Montgomery man who was present during the on-campus shooting at Tuskegee University last year has been sentenced for having a machine gun conversion device.

Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson said 25-year-old Jaquez Myrick was sentenced to two years in federal prison for having the gun with the device. Davidson said Myrick will serve three years of supervised released after he is released.

There is no parole in the federal system.

As Action 8 News has reported, a mass shooting happened in a parking lot on the Tuskegee University campus at 1:40AM on November 10, 2024.  One person was killed in the shooting, 12 were injured by gunfire and four others were hurt with injuries not related to gunfire. The person killed was 18-year-old La’Tavion Johnson of Troy, who was not connected to the university, which was celebrating its 100th homecoming.

Officers had encountered a large crowd and heard gunfire. During the response, court records show an officer observed Myrick moving through the parking lot with a gun in his hand and detained him.

Upon inspection, agents determined that the handgun Myrick possessed was equipped with a machine gun conversion device, commmonly referred to as a “switch.” When installed, such a device transforms a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic weapon, capable of firing up to 20 rounds per second with a single pull of the trigger.

Myrick pleaded guilty to possession of the device on January 29. He was not charged with shooting anyone.

“This case is yet another example of the danger posed by illegal machinegun conversion devices,” Davidson said. “These devices turn handguns into weapons of war, with no place on our streets or campuses. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and hold offenders accountable.”