Opelika Community Grieves After Teen Fatally Shot During Annual Alumni Day Celebration

Opelika Community Grieves After Teen Fatally Shot During Annual Alumni Day Celebration

OPELIKA, AL — A night of joy and tradition turned into heartbreak on Saturday, June 7, 2025, when 16-year-old Jamiyah Grant was fatally shot during a large gathering at George C. Bandy Park in Opelika.

The shooting occurred during the city’s annual Alumni Day celebration, a beloved event known for bringing together generations of residents for an evening filled with music, food, laughter, and community spirit. What was meant to be a festive summer night quickly descended into tragedy when gunfire erupted just before 9 p.m., scattering the crowd and shattering the peace.

When officers with the Opelika Police Department arrived, they found Grant critically injured from a gunshot wound. Emergency responders immediately rendered aid and transported her to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

So far, no arrests have been made, and police say the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses in hopes of identifying the shooter. The motive remains unclear.

Opelika Police Chief Shane Healey issued a statement expressing the department’s sorrow and determination:

“We are heartbroken by the loss of a young life. Jamiyah was just 16 years old — a child of this community with a future full of promise. We will not rest until justice is served.”

Jamiyah Grant was a student at Opelika High School, described by teachers as “bright, compassionate, and full of potential.” Her unexpected death has sent waves of grief through the school and broader community. Grief counselors have been made available to students and staff this week.

Family, friends, and community members are planning a candlelight vigil in Jamiyah’s honor. The gathering will serve as both a memorial and a call for an end to the senseless violence that continues to claim young lives.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Opelika Police Department or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

As the community mourns, Jamiyah’s name now joins a growing list of youth lost to gun violence — a tragedy that will not be forgotten.