A deadly altercation inside a Navy ship under construction at a Mississippi shipyard left one man dead and another facing a murder charge Friday, sparking chaos among thousands of workers and raising alarming questions about security at the facility.
According to Military.com, an early morning shooting at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula claimed the life of one employee and led to the arrest of a coworker, who authorities say acted following an earlier argument between the two men.
Just before 7:30 a.m. on August 22, emergency services were contacted after a worker discovered the body of 27-year-old Tahj Johnson of Prichard, Alabama. Johnson, a painter assigned to work aboard one of the Navy vessels in development, had been shot on board a ship located on the south side of the shipyard. Two gunshots were reported during the incident, which police described as an isolated dispute between Johnson and fellow painter Curtis Demetries James Jr. James, 25, of Mobile, Alabama, was also employed at the industrial facility owned and operated by Ingalls Shipbuilding.
Pascagoula Police Chief Terry Scott said allegations pointed to prior tension between the two men, reportedly stemming from an argument earlier in the week in their hometown of Prichard. Following the shooting, authorities said James attempted to avoid detection by “blending in” with the thousands of employees working on-site.
Suspect Blended in With Crowd of Shipyard Workers
More than 10,000 workers were present at the bustling shipyard on Friday morning, with about 8,000 actively working when the shooting unfolded. As law enforcement arrived on the scene, they quickly initiated a shelter-in-place order and locked down all areas of the sprawling facility.
Investigators began a rigorous hour-and-27-minute search through industrial buildings, ships, and warehouses. Employees were sectioned into groups, with headcounts conducted to help isolate the suspect’s location. Meanwhile, response teams relied heavily on descriptions provided by witnesses to locate James. By 9:00 a.m., James was found inside one of the shipyard warehouses and taken into custody without further incident. He was formally charged with murder and remains in custody while investigators continue to gather evidence and interview potential witnesses.
Security Protocols Under Scrutiny After Gun Brought On-Site
The firearm used in the killing had not yet been recovered as of Friday afternoon. A dive team was deployed to continue searching for the weapon near the location of the ship where Johnson was found. The circumstances surrounding how a gun managed to enter the restricted shipyard remain unclear.
Chief Scott acknowledged the alarming security lapse, stating, “I have no idea how he got on with a gun.” Officials said weapons are strictly prohibited inside the grounds, except in the case of authorized security personnel. No other injuries or property damage were reported during the ordeal. Ingalls Shipbuilding confirmed that none of the ships under construction were harmed during the incident, and the facility began the process of returning to standard operations later that day.
Company Shuts Down Operations and Offers Grief Support
Company leadership decided to send all employees home with full pay in the wake of the tragedy. Ingalls Shipbuilding emphasized its commitment to supporting workers through what it called an “unimaginable” day.
Ingalls President Brian Blanchette pledged cooperation with local authorities, stating that the company would “be working with the police department to look into this further.” He added, “It’s about the worst thing you can imagine to hear. This is not a day I would want to wish on anyone.” The company's spokesperson, Danny Hernandez, echoed those sentiments, expressing condolences to the victim's friends and family. “We extend our deepest sympathy,” he said, “and are devastated by the passing of a fellow shipbuilder.”
Not a First: Previous Workplace Violence Recalled
Authorities also confirmed that this was not the first episode of fatal workplace violence at Ingalls. In 2005, a similar shooting took place when a worker fatally shot a supervisor, marking a rare but haunting precedent in the company’s history. The Pascagoula Police Department has requested that any witnesses or individuals with information about Friday’s incident come forward to assist in the investigation. Detectives are continuing to examine what circumstances led up to the shooting and how the suspect was able to re-enter the shipyard and carry a gun unnoticed.
As part of their internal review, company officials are expected to evaluate current security screening methods to prevent similar lapses in the future. Enhanced safety training and procedures may follow once the investigation concludes.
Community Reeling as Investigation Continues
The fatal shooting has left the shipyard community rattled, sending shockwaves through a workforce regarded as one of the economic staples of coastal Mississippi. The facility is one of the nation’s largest military shipbuilders and plays a significant role in defense manufacturing. Local officials, company leadership, and public safety personnel are focusing on restoring a sense of routine and confidence among employees returning to the job. Grief counseling services will be made available to help workers cope with the tragic events.
As the investigation unfolds, law enforcement authorities anticipate additional updates regarding the outcome of the firearm search and any security protocol revisions at the shipyard. Meanwhile, James remains in custody as the legal process begins.
